Natenie Russell

Natenie Russell (née Itterman) was born in Moosehorn, Manitoba, to Jonathan and Carolina Itterman. As a young woman, she attended school in Manitoba and later was united in marriage there to her beloved husband, Clarence Richard Russell, who predeceased her in 2006.

In 1947, the two of them moved to British Columbia for new beginnings. Tenie, as she was affectionately known to many, supported her family with love and encouragement, and was a faithful helpmeet to Clarence, when he eventually opened his own construction company.

A devoted mother, exemplified especially by her loving care of Valeri (who has special needs) until very recently, when Val’s needs became more than her then 95-year-old mother could attend to; but it was with great reluctance that Natenie conceded she could no longer meet those needs.

Natenie’s life was enriched by the many good friends she made along the way, in Vancouver, Kelowna, Lavington, and latterly Abbotsford BC, where she has resided for the past 30+ years. A family person through and through, Tenie was a favourite aunt to her many nieces and nephews in both the Itterman and Russell families; and a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A consummate crocheter, Natenie spent hours and hours in the last few years making hundreds of soft blankets (mostly for babies born prematurely), and several Lower Mainland hospitals’ NICUs joyfully took her work and gave the blankets to the babies’ families. And it is unlikely there is a Russell or Itterman family member who hasn’t one of her beautifully-wrought tablecloths or bedspreads…. or both!

One month and six days shy of her 97th birthday, Natenie graduated into the eternal presence of her Lord and Saviour. Together, all of us who survive her now celebrate the wonderful woman she was, and the long and rich life she enjoyed and shared with us. She is survived and dearly missed by Janet (Ron), Wayne (Sue), and Valerie; by grandchildren Larissa (Kerry), Bradley (Brittany), Mikael (Danette), Darrell (Anna), Ron (Darryl); and great-grandchildren Jemma, Quinn, Kellan, Annabelle and Ava.

At Natenie’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to BC Children’s Hospital, especially the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, as that was a cause near and dear to her heart.

“You can shed tears that she is gone,

or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,

or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her only that she is gone,

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what she’d want:

Smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.”

—David Harkiins