Carole C. Russell Obituary (1958

Carole C. Russell, 62, a resident of North Chelmsford MA, passed away peacefully at her home on December 5th, after a three year battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of Beth Benoit, with whom she had shared her life for 35 years. She was born in Norwood, MA on December 14, 1958, and was the daughter of the late Robert and Joan (McCann) Russell. Carole grew up in Franklin, MA. She attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, played trumpet in the Minuteman marching band for one year, and was a proud Lambda Delta Phi sorority sister. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science with concentration in Computer Science and Mathematics. After graduation, she served a term on the school board of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, MA. Caroles first job out of college was on the second shift at Hewlett Packard in Waltham, manufacturing medical devices. She was promoted into an engineering position working on cardiac monitors. Over the course of two decades, she advanced to become a Vice President of Research and Development in Philips HealthCare. After Philips, Carole discovered a love of teaching while working as a substitute teacher. She enrolled at Lesley University, earning her Masters in Special Education. She joined the faculty at the Greater Lowell Technical high school, co-teaching inclusion classes in mathematics. She loved teaching at the Tech where she took great pride in every student she helped to pass Math MCAS to earn their high school diploma. She also organized a major project to bring online Individual Education and 504 Plans, giving Greater Lowell teachers quick access to information about their students learning accommodations. Carole was a 30 year member of First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Chelmsford, serving in many leadership positions over those years including the Standing Committee, Human Resources Committee and the Investment Committee. She was passionate about her faith and would often engage people without a faith community on why they should visit First Parish. Carole coached in Chelmsford Youth Baseball for many years. She loved the game and loved seeing the players improve and work as a team. She also was a lifelong Red Sox fan. She attended Red Sox games at Fenway Park, Oakland, Toronto, Camden Yards, and spring training at JetBlue Park. Carole served as a merit badge counselor, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Eagle Scout coach in Chelmsford Troop 75, helping many young men learn leadership and planning skills. She nagged and cajoled many a Life scout into finishing his Eagle requirements. She is survived by her wife, Beth Benoit, her children Ethan Russell-Benoit of Philadelphia, PA and Bryce Russell-Benoit of Boston, MA. She is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Joan Russell, and her sisters Roberta Gustin, Joan (Trudy) Gordon, and Linda Schotch. A virtual memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec 18 at 1 pm. Please access the service at the First Parish Church of Chelmsford website with this link: uuchelmsford.org/worship-service, where there will be a direct broadcast feed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to one of the organizations important to Carole: First Parish UU of Chelmsford (2 Westford St., Chelmsford MA 01824), Teamwalk for Cancer Care Lowell General Hospital or the Chelmsford Open Space Stewards (write check to Town of Chelmsford/COSS and send to Chelmsford Town Manager, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824). Service Details Virtual Memorial Service When December 18, 2021 1:00pm Location First Parish Church of Chelmsford Address Address Not Available