Obituary of Patricia C. Russell

Patricia Collins Russell, 81, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024. She was the widow of Paul Russell to whom she was married for 49 years.

Born in Syracuse, Patty grew up on Tipperary Hill. She was one of 15 children born to Bill and Kate Collins. Patty graduated from St. Patrick's High School and St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. During her 46 years as a dedicated Registered Nurse, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Brain Injury Clinic at St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Stonehedge Elementary School. She was a parishioner of both St. Ann’s Church and Holy Family Church in Syracuse.

Patty will be remembered as a loving, generous person with a great sense of adventure and humor. In any medical situation, she tirelessly advocated for her patients, family, and friends. She enjoyed golfing, swimming, playing cards, cheering for SU Basketball, traveling across the country, lunches out with friends, and most of all spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Patty is survived by her children Mary Graziano (Joseph), Paul Russell (Ginny), and Ander Russell (Kendall Cline); grandchildren Russell Graziano (Samantha Druce), Katherine Graziano and Molly Russell; siblings William Collins, Mary Worden, Katherine Collins, Eileen Sganga, Margaret Comins, Nancy Gaughan, James Collins, Sister Anna Mae Collins CSJ, Michael Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Thomas Collins, and Richard Collins; many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sister Carol Solan, and her brother John Collins.

A Memorial Mass will take place on Monday, April 1 at 10:00 am at Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Dr., Syracuse, NY 13219. A gathering for friends and family will take place after Mass, location to be announced at the service. As a testament to medical education, she chose to donate her body to Upstate Medical University’s Anatomical Gift Program.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Holy Family Church Food Pantry, The Foodbank of Central New York, or The Alzheimer’s Association.