Dorothy J. Russett, 85

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dorothy Jean (Bigelow) Russett, 85, of 76 Bradford Street, North Adams, died on Saturday April 21, 2018, at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center. 

She was born in Adams, Mass., on July 20, 1932 daughter of the late George and Patricia (Sokolowski) Bigelow. Dorothy attended St. Stanislaus Kostka School, graduating in 1946, and graduated from Adams High School in 1950. She was a drum majorette in PNA Drum Corps. Dorothy served as an executive secretary at Sprague Electric Company for many years. After retirement she was a nanny to her niece, Jenna Bigelow. She was also the president of Christmas Brook Skating Club and was president of the Gold Card Club. 

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Donald Roger Russett, who died on February 1, 2017. They were married on May 14, 1951. 

She leaves a son, Larry Russett, and his wife Jane of Adams; two daughters, Patricia Mendocha and her husband Paul of North Adams and Dr. Susan Russett-Collett of Gorham, Maine; four grandchildren, Brandon Collett, Jeremy Collett, Sarah Sawyer and her husband Ryan, and Laura Russett.; one great-grandson, Cole Mason Sawyer; her brothers, James Bigelow and his wife Sally and George Bigelow and his wife, Marie; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by a brother, Robert Bigelow. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the compassionate and dedicated staff at Sugar Hill Assisted Living, Kimball Farms Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Home Care Services of Massachusetts as well as Hospice Care of the Berkshires.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Dorothy Russett will be on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 1 p.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams, Mass. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Donations may be made to North Adams Brien Adult Day Health Center through the funeral home.