Johanna (JoAnn) M. Russell, 91, formerly of Black River, NY, passed away from myelodysplastic syndrome on February 13, 2016, at Hospice of Jefferson County, Watertown, NY.

Born in Watertown, NY, on May 15, 1924, she was adopted by Walter and Kathryn TenEyck Eggleston.  She graduated from Black River High School in 1942.  She married Thomas Russell of Rushford, NY, on October 30, 1942, at her family home in Black River.  He was employed at St Regis Paper Company in DeFeriet as an electrician, retiring in 1985.  He passed away on September 29, 2010.

In her early years she was employed at the Black River Post Office, later in life she was employed for 20 years at the Black River Free Library/Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library.

Except for a brief stay in Texas when her husband was stationed there in the army, she was a resident of Black River for 90 years, moving to Samaritan Summit Village Assisted Living-Terrace facility in June, 2015.

JoAnn's reputation as a Girl Scout leader was legendary.  She served as leader of Troop 8 for 10 years in the 1950's and 1960's.  Under her tutelage, her scouts widened their horizons with such activities as camping trips, bicycle trips, breakfasts and hospitality dinners, art demonstrations and much more.  She was chosen for training at Camp Edith Macy and received the Thanks Badge, the highest recognition award for an adult in Girl Scouts.

Always active in the community, she served as Black River Village Historian and as Black River correspondent for the Carthage Republican Tribune at one time.  In 1991, she was the chairman of the Black River Centennial Celebration.

She was a charter member of the Black River Fire Dept auxiliary, a member of Bethany Chapter 343 of the Eastern Stars, and the 4 River Valleys Historical Society.  She was a member of "The Red Hots" Red Hat Society group, The Busy BG's, the Leray/Pamelia Seniors, and the local AARP chapter.

JoAnn was an accomplished artist and former member of the Watertown Artist's Guild.  Her creative endeavors included sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, doll making, painting, and card making, including composing poetic verses.  She enjoyed music playing the piano, organ and the accordion. She was an avid Syracuse University basketball fan and had fond memories of attending an SU-Seton Hall game several years ago, seeing Sherman Douglas in the hotel lobby, and getting on the hotel elevator the next morning with several of the Seton Hall players.

She collected antiques and loved animals, especially poodles, cats and backyard birds.  She bettered the lives of feral cats in Black River through adoption, finding good homes and funding surgeries through Spay Neuter Now.

She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Kathryn (Kay) Barker, Felts Mills, and Jan and Norman (Dusty) Lozo, Gouverneur, and one granddaughter, Jennifer Barker and her partner, Joseph Morris, Portland, OR., several nieces and nephews and her two beloved cats, Bummer and Callie.  She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Richard Eggleston, who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge, and her husband, Thomas Russell.

Her family would like to thank the Black River Village Crew for all they did for her and our father over the years.  She especially enjoyed them honoring her 90th birthday with a sign, in-person greeting, card and gifts.

Also thank you to the Black River Ambulance Squad for assisting both of them when needed during their later years.

Many thanks as well for the excellent care she received by the staff at Samaritan Summit Village-Terrace for eight months, the staff at Samaritan Medical Center Pratt 5th Floor, and to the compassionate staff at Hospice of Jefferson County.

Calling hours will be held Friday February 19th from 3 pm to 6 pm at Bruce Funeral Home, 131 Maple St., Black River.

The funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 11 am on Saturday with Mother Ninon Hutchinson officiating.

Burial will follow at Black River Cemetery.

Donations can be made to Sally Ploof Hunter Library, PO Box 253, Black River, NY 13612, or Black River Ambulance Squad, PO Box 314, Black River, NY 13612 or to Hospice Foundation of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.