Julia "Julie" Russell

Julia “Julie” Ann Russell of Columbus, Ohio passed away on July 7, 2023. Born on September 20, 1937, daughter of Joseph and Anna Laukitis in DuBois, Pennsylvania. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband James F. Russell, infant son Francis Allen Russell, grandson Damon “DJ” Drumsta, brother John Laukitis and three sisters Josephine (Jim) Carcella, Helen (Charles) Dixon and Margaret (John) Petruzzi, nephew Charles Dixon and niece Marian (Toots) Kalp.

Julie is survived by her son James F. (Leslie) Russell II of Columbus, Ohio, daughters Jackie Drumsta of Columbus, Ohio and Jennifer (Uri) Holmes of Dublin, Ohio and granddaughter Jessica Drumsta. Surely her granddogs Madison, Augusta and Elsie were waiting next to St. Peter for “Nana’s” arrival. Mom will be deeply missed by her nieces and nephews of Pennsylvania as well as extended family. She was a “favorite Aunt” to many.

Mom formed many lasting friendships. Her best friend of 80 years, Joan Trump, was still sending her greeting cards two weeks ago. Thirty years ago she formed a group called the “Go Girls”. More than 15 women joined over the years, including Jennifer’s mother-in-law, Sue Holmes. Sue, Nancy, Dee, Kathy C and the other girls planned outings across the country, birthday parties every month, attended childrens’ weddings, saw Broadway plays in NYC and once attended a local “Sound of Music” production, dressed as various characters. Mom was a hit as Maria, even carrying a guitar case.

As a child Mom played the violin and basketball. Her Lithuanian heritage meant so much to her and her family. Carrying on the traditions of her Lithuanian-born parents, she celebrated “Dookie Day” with her family every year. We could never get enough of the passed-down recipes and were sad to end the celebration, though with full bellies and great memories. Her love of cooking and baking was year-round and she volunteered to host special occasion celebrations quite often. An avid gardener, we even lived on Greengarden Boulevard during our time in Erie, PA. She turned her love of flowers and beautiful things into a volunteer position at Riverside Methodist Hospital delivering flowers after her retirement. She loved seeing smiles on the faces of patients.

Mom was highly devoted to her Catholic faith. She prayed the Holy Rosary every evening, often finding the rosary the next morning somewhere in her bed. She always prayed for her children’s needs. Through many tribulations she counted on her faith in God to carry her through to the next day. As a freshman she went off to “study with the Nuns” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She loved the school, but her mother missed her too much and brought her back to DuBois to finish high school. She later earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration.

As a professional, she began her career as a legal secretary and then in the healthcare field in Erie, PA where she managed a pool of 23 employees until she moved to Columbus in 1984. After moving she became an executive secretary and credentialist at Mount Carmel Medical Center. She retired after 25 years of service in 2009. Mom was very active in Professional Secretary’s International, serving as President of the Erie Chapter and as Secretary on the state level.

Mom was an active member in her former parish, St. Peters in Columbus, for over 30 years, serving on numerous committees and feeding all who were hungry. In remembrance of her husband, she answered a suicide hotline service for years on Sunday afternoons. She counseled and consoled many.

Our family would like to thank the angels at the Sanctuary at Tuttle Crossing, as well as the Capital City Hospice team, literally named “Team Dream''. They should be known as the Dream Team for all they have done these past few weeks for mom and the rest of us, bringing kindness, gentleness, faith, friendship and consolation into her world and ours. “I thank God for every remembrance of you.”

Visitation will be held at Schoedinger Dublin; 5980 Perimeter Drive Dublin, Ohio 43017 on Sunday July 16, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00pm. The praying of the holy rosary will start at 1:45pm. Funeral Mass will be at St. Brigid of Kildare; 7179 Avery Road Dublin, Ohio 43017 on Monday, July 17, at 11:00 am. A private burial will take place in DuBois, Pennsylvania at a later date.

For those unable to attend in person, the funeral mass will be available to watch live at https://stbrigidofkildare.org. To view, click WATCH LIVE on the green upper banner, then click LIVE on the next page. The page may need to be refreshed few minutes prior to the start of the funeral if you do not see the livestream in progress. The Mass will also be recorded and available to watch later on the same page.

In lieu of flowers, donations or Mass Requests may be offered at www.thedivinemercy.org. Donations may also be made to www.columbushumane.org.