Salem – Ellen Marie Russell 85, formerly of Peabody, died Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Salem Hospital.

Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late James W. and Cecilia V. (Silk) Russell. She was raised in Peabody and was a graduate of St. Chretienne Academy in Salem, class of 1955. She continued her education, earning a bachelor's degree in Nursing at Salem State College, class of 1977 and her master’s degree in Nursing from Simmons College, class of 1989.

Ms. Russell had been employed for many years as a nurse practitioner at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Jamaica Plain and Gloucester, until the time of her retirement. She was also part of the Intercultural Nursing Program where she travelled to the Dominican Republic to aid in health challenged communities.

A longtime resident of Salem, Ms. Russell volunteered for the Salem Public School system and also at the Salem Visitor’s Center. She was an avid traveler who enjoyed visiting countries all over the world. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be missed by all who knew her.

Surviving her are two daughters, Moira E. Thomas of Salem and Megan Manitsas and her husband, James of Belchertown, a son, Richard P. Thomas III and his wife, Amanda of Beverly, four grandchildren, Samantha M. Manitsas, Olivia Thomas, Jaxon Thomas and Emmit Thomas, two sisters, Barbara Kelley of Salem and Kathleen E. Levesque of Peabody and many nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody, Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Conway Cahill Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Salem Education Foundation www.salemeducationfoundation.org.