Marilyn Steffen Russell passed away on November 30, 2023, the day before her 89th birthday. She died at home in Westminster, MD from Alzheimer’s. Her husband, Lynford Russell and daughter, Laura Russell were with her. For the last three months, Marilyn entertained the women who cared for her. Her face lit up when they arrived and kept them laughing with her wit. Marilyn was born on December 1, 1934 in St. Louis, MO to Bernice and Raymond Steffen. After graduating from Beaumont High School, Marilyn earned her RN from Deaconess School of Nursing in St. Louis. Marilyn loved St. Louis and talking about her memories from growing up there. She lived with her parents, her brother, R. Donald Steffen, and their grandmothers. Marilyn played the piano and participated in Job’s Daughters. After graduation, she relocated to Chicago to work at the University of Chicago Hospital. Here she met her husband, Lyn, at a Christmas party. While living in Chicago they had three sons, Lynford Russell III (Len), Michael Russell and Stephen Russell. In the early 1960’s they relocated to Montgomery County Maryland where they lived for 44 years. Once settling in Rockville, they had their daughter, Laura. While raising her children, Marilyn worked as a nurse in a doctor’s office. She was very active at St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church in Silver Spring, MD. Marilyn had a strong commitment to giving to others and spent many hours volunteering. She went door-to-door collecting for many causes, was a troop leader for both Boy and Girl Scouts, sewed many items for bazaars and school plays, and taught Sunday School. After retirement, Marilyn volunteered at Children’s National Medical Center on the oncology ward and for children’s hospice helping many families. She followed this with volunteering for Easter Seals assisting families with children with disabilities. Many people will remember Marilyn for her artistic talent. She donated handmade items to many organizations. She was known for her detailed quilting, sewing, china painting, and embroidery. She was recognized by the Carroll County Arts Council for her quilt donations to their fundraisers and exhibitions. Marilyn made quilts for Linus Project and pillowcase dresses for children in Haiti and Africa. She belonged to the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at St. Benjamin’s Lutheran Church and the Measure of Grace crochet ministry at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Marilyn and Lyn enjoyed traveling. They took many road trips around the US including driving from coast to coast. For years they participated in Elderhostel programs which took them to Europe and England. They enjoyed that their children resided in vacation hot spots. Marilyn was predeceased by her brother, Raymond“Donald” Steffen; her brother-in-law, Mitchell “Holmes” Russell and her daughter-in-law, Cristina Russell Escrihuela. She is survived by her four children; daughter-in-law, Sandi Russell; four granddaughters (Katie Bowen, Jennifer Russell, Melissa Russell Escrihuela, Blanca Russell Escrihuela) and great-grandchildren (Victoria Bowen, Milo Kikic, Mitchell Bowen). A memorial service will be held in Westminster, MD in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, the family hopes you will make a donation of money and time to a charity you are passionate about.