MARGUERITE (HOLLAND) RUSSELL

Marguerite J. N. (Holland) Russell, 88, of Providence, passed away in Deltona, Florida, on May 26. She was the wife of the late Isaiah H. Russell Jr. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Jesse Robert and Jenny (Nixon) Holland, she had resided in Providence and Florida for the last 20 years. A graduate of Hope High School and Bryant College, she was an entrepreneur and business owner for 37 years and a board member of Rusco Steel Company. She devoted all of her attention to her proud business enterprise, a labor of love for her. She retired in 1970 with the most highly respected business reputation in the state of Rhode Island. Many of her clients became close personal friends for life. Marguerite had a passion for community service. She was a founding member of the Rhode Island chapter of Jack and Jill of America, an African American organization formed during the Great Depression by black women who wanted their children to have cultural opportunities, develop leadership skills and form social networks. She was a member and past president of the Women's Guild of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Providence, where she had also been the first black deaconess. She loved her family and enjoyed fine cuisine, reading and traveling. Over the years she visited Europe, the Caribbean and most of the United States. A recipient of numerous accolades from mayors of Providence and a governor of Rhode Island, she was also honored with the Christiana Carteaux Bannister History Maker's Award from the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. Marguerite is survived by three sons, Michael and his wife Loreen of Warwick; Robert, and his wife Rachel, of Providence; and Kenneth, and his wife Yania, in Florida; a daughter, Marcia Russell-Cintron, and her husband Felix, a very special son-in-law, of Providence; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. She was a sister of the late Jerome, Robert "Sonny," Paul and Arnold Holland, Doris Givens, Luella Davis and Frances Day. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Nardolillo Funeral Home, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 445 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery.Donations in her memory can be made to the Women's Guild of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Providence.

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