Carolyn "Lynn" (Chappelear) Russell

Carolyn C Russell (Chappelear), known as Lynn to her friends, aged 96, died January 1, 2021 at home, in Rochester, NH, surrounded by family. She was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 22, 1924, the daughter of James W. Chappelear and Bernice L Chappelear (Stevens).

She was married to Edgar L Russell, known as Ed. They were married on December 31, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois.

Lynn attended elementary school and high school in Worthington, Ohio, and graduated high school from South Shore High School in Chicago, Illinois. She received her Registered Nurse certificate from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois where she then practiced nursing. She and Ed met at the young adults group at the Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church where they were later married. After raising her family, Lynn went back to school at Mayfair College to recertify her RN license and take other college classes. She then practiced nursing at Bethany Methodist Hospital in Chicago until her retirement.

After their marriage, Lynn and Ed continued to be active members of the Chicago Temple, raising children together with many of their friends from that original young adults group. With their children, they would do a lot of family vacations, many times tent camping. Lynn and Ed really enjoyed traveling, and after retirement participated in Elderhostel trips across the United States. After Ed passed away in 2003, Lynn moved from Chicago to Rochester, New Hampshire to live with her daughter Mary.

Lynn's main hobbies were reading, knitting, walking around town, taking the bus to hear concerts in Portsmouth and writing letters. She worked with several knitting clubs while in Rochester making items for her family and for groups like the Linus Project. She is probably best known for her letter writing. She chose to never get a computer, but would hand write cards and letters to all her friends and family in her beautiful cursive handwriting. She would remember birth dates and other opportunities for celebration and pour out her love and encouragement in those precious notes. Most everyone who knew her most likely received at least one of these treasures.

Lynn is predeceased by her husband, Ed Russell, her parents, James and Bernice Chappelear and her daughter-in-law Lisa Russell (wife of James W. Russell).

Lynn is survived by her children, Peter (and Julie) Russell, James W. Russell, Anne Russell, Mary (and David) Clark (Russell); grandchildren Rebecca (and Jorge Morales) Russell, Emilie (and Ryan) Coppinger (Clark), Jessica Russell, Naomie Clark, Andrew Clark and Adam Russell; nephews Robert Russell, James E. Russell, Richard Russell; niece Margaret Russell VanZandt; first cousin Barbara (and William) Bramen; and other cousins and grand nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, any who wish may make memorial donations to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund of Rochester NH, Salvation Army, Cornerstone VNA and Hope on Haven Hill in Somersworth NH.

A Memorial Service for Carolyn will be held on Saturday, July 3rd at 10am at the First United Methodist Church, 34 South Main Street, Rochester, NH 03867. Reception to follow.