Janet Elve Russell

Janet Elve (Jan) Russell was born in Buffalo, New York on January 20, 1916, the daughter of Charles Howard and Bee Blanch Elve. She went to be with her beloved husband, Rusty, on December 18, 2013. Jan often recalled her Kenmore, New York, childhood. She claimed snow banks were so high that O'Leary, the lamplighter, had to dig down to the light the lamps. Once, while pond skating, Jan saved her cousin Mildred's life by crawling onto the ice to pull Mildred from the pond. Jan was the champion high school high jumper of Erie County.

At 18, her parents moved Jan to Syracuse, New York, where she met and married Willard (Rusty) Russell. Married in 1938, they had daughter, Judy, in 1940. The Russells led a vagabond life during WWII, moving thirteen times between 1941 and 1948. Rusty's war work brought them to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, site of the nuclear bomb development.

Jan's favorite war story was living in the park cabin once occupied by Eleanor Roosevelt. Jan cooked on an open fireplace and admitted to running whiskey, hidden under groceries, from an adjacent state to dry Tennessee.
Moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1948, Rusty became the City Parks Superintendent, overseeing the Garden of the Gods. A marvelous hostess, Jan cooked large Easter breakfasts for numerous friends in their lakeside "bath house". Breakfast followed the Garden of the Gods sunrise service. In addition to her extensive social life, Jan was the C Springs YWCA Y-Teen director.

An innovator, Jan set up a matchmaking service for local girls with cadets at the new Air Force Academy. Cadets invaded her house on the weekends, enjoying her hospitality, cooking, and (Jan complained) her liqueur. One of her most successful match makings was between a young cadet, Gene, and her daughter, Judy.

In 1961, Jan and Rusty moved to California, settling in San Clemente. As Director of the Christian Serviceman's Center, Jan made life for Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton much more pleasant. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, she placed lonesome marines in local homes for family-type dinners.

Moving to San Diego, Jan convinced Rusty to buy a run-down 1917California Craftsman bungalow. For her years of restoration, Jan was rewarded with a National Historic Preservation designation for the house. Reflecting her outgoing personality and business acumen, Jan started the appropriately named "Spice of Life," a coffee, tea, and spice shop in Old Town San Diego. The shop made money and friends from the start. Jan claimed she was once helped in the store by a very tall spirit who placed her wares on a top shelf she couldn't reach. It's likely the spirit was from the nearby Whaley House, known for its ghosts. In her shop and neighborhood, Jan was the epitome of the Spice of Life. Her spirit will certainly spice up heaven.

Jan was elected president of the historic Burlingame Neighborhood Organization and joined the San Diego Historic Society to promote local history and culture. She was also docented at the historic San Diego Marston House.

Jan moved to the Fountains in 2006 to become a Florida resident. She lived a quiet life at the Fountains, joining the family for Easter, Christmas, and birthdays. At the Fountains, she was known among the staff as a good humor lady for she almost always made them laugh.
Jan's family and many friends will miss the "Spice of Life" she provided to them. Her 97 years were full and fruitful. The family is grateful to the Fountain's and VITAS Hospice caregivers for their loving kindness to Janet.

Surviving Jan are her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Gene Davis of Melbourne; her grandson, Chris (Wife, Robbi) Davis of Keller, Texas; her granddaughter, Cindy Ridgeway (Husband, Herb), and her grandchildren, Danni, Sam, Heather, and Cole Davis and Rider, Colt, and Rockford Ridgeway. She is also survived by her Sister-in-Law, Loretta Russell, and several nieces and nephews.

A life remembrance will be held for Janet at the Fountains, 4441 Stack Blvd. at 4:00 p.m. on January 18, 2014. Donations in Janet's name may be sent to the arthritis Foundation or the Wounded warriors Program.