August 10, 1968- November 25, 2016
Shelah Russell was doubly blessed with beauty, inside and out. We could say Shelah lost her battle with cancer, but I say that’s nonsense. I know my sister. I’ve watched her my whole life. Her stubborn but awesome personality, laughing with her friends, hanging out with her family. I know what she’s made of. Cancer never stood a chance against her. I know it wore down her body. I know it exhausted her strength. And I know it took her life. But cancer couldn’t dim her smile. And what a smile it was! Everything good, everything wholesome, everything pure about her life was found in her smile. But there was more...a hint of mischief, a sense of self-confidence, an unmistakable kindness. It was the kind of smile that drew people to her. That smile was there as far back as I can remember in my childhood. The ravages of cancer, chemo and radiation could not wipe it from her face. Cancer was helpless against it.
Cancer could do nothing to diminish either. When chemo robbed her of her hair, she sported some of the coolest headwear you’ve ever seen, looking good all the while. Even more striking than her physical features, though, was her inner beauty. It was a beauty that shined through her eyes and smile every day of her life. Cancer tried to take it from her, but failed miserably.
Cancer couldn’t steal Shelah's popularity. To know her was to love her and to root for her. We should all be so lucky to have as many friends as Shelah did. She touched more people in her time on earth than most of us could in 100 years. From her doctors and nurses to her friends and strangers to children she had never met, no one entered Shelah's orbit without being inspired by her. Cancer was utterly helpless to interfere.
Cancer was unable to break Shelah’s spirit. Her zest for life shined brightly to the end. Her confidence and adventurousness were undimmed. She took everything cancer could throw at her and kept going. She endured pain that would have hobbled the toughest adult. She found energy in the face of draining treatments. She maintained a positive outlook in the bleakest of situations. Where was cancer’s victory in that?
Cancer ripped a hole in the lives of everyone who loved Shelah. Cancer left us devastated and heartsick. Cancer robbed the world of someone who had done and would of continued to do great things, someone that did make and would of continued to make a difference.
But cancer did not beat Shelah. It never ever stood a chance! Fly high with those new wings sister, I love you so so so much and will miss you while I spend my time on this earth without you. But I will see you again! -Your baby brother Rey
Survivors include, one son, Patrick John (PJ) Hathaway, of Braidwood, Illinois; one daughter, Meghan Wagge, of Wilmington, Illinois; her parents, Patrick and Ann Williams, of Neosho, Missouri; one brother, Rey Bryand, and his wife, Jessica, of Neosho, Missouri; two sisters, Raquel Ballard, and her husband James (JR) Ballard, of Plainfield, Illinois and Crystal Grgec, and her husband, Stanko, of Springfield, Illinois; one step-brother, Rick Williams, Berwyn, Illinois; one grandson Keegan Peterson; maternal grandmother, Faye Compton, of Moulton, Alabama; one great-grandmother, Virginia Hahn, of Cicero, Illinois; one special friend and companion, Sean Allison, of Braidwood, Illinois; and all of her very special nieces and nephews and a multitude of family she loved dearly.
A Celebration of Life will be held on December 3, 2016 2:00p.m. at PT's on 66, 113 E. Baltimore St. Wilmington, IL 60481.
We will be doing a balloon release if you want to join us, please bring a balloon.
Shelah Russell was doubly blessed with beauty, inside and out. We could say Shelah lost her battle with cancer, but I say that’s nonsense. I know my sister. I’ve watched her my whole life. Her stubborn but awesome personality, laughing with her friends, hanging out with her family. I know what she’s made of. Cancer never stood a chance against her. I know it wore down her body. I know it exhausted her strength. And I know it took her life. But cancer couldn’t dim her smile. And what a smile it was! Everything good, everything wholesome, everything pure about her life was found in her smile. But there was more...a hint of mischief, a sense of self-confidence, an unmistakable kindness. It was the kind of smile that drew people to her. That smile was there as far back as I can remember in my childhood. The ravages of cancer, chemo and radiation could not wipe it from her face. Cancer was helpless against it.
Cancer could do nothing to diminish either. When chemo robbed her of her hair, she sported some of the coolest headwear you’ve ever seen, looking good all the while. Even more striking than her physical features, though, was her inner beauty. It was a beauty that shined through her eyes and smile every day of her life. Cancer tried to take it from her, but failed miserably.
Cancer couldn’t steal Shelah's popularity. To know her was to love her and to root for her. We should all be so lucky to have as many friends as Shelah did. She touched more people in her time on earth than most of us could in 100 years. From her doctors and nurses to her friends and strangers to children she had never met, no one entered Shelah's orbit without being inspired by her. Cancer was utterly helpless to interfere.
Cancer was unable to break Shelah’s spirit. Her zest for life shined brightly to the end. Her confidence and adventurousness were undimmed. She took everything cancer could throw at her and kept going. She endured pain that would have hobbled the toughest adult. She found energy in the face of draining treatments. She maintained a positive outlook in the bleakest of situations. Where was cancer’s victory in that?
Cancer ripped a hole in the lives of everyone who loved Shelah. Cancer left us devastated and heartsick. Cancer robbed the world of someone who had done and would of continued to do great things, someone that did make and would of continued to make a difference.
But cancer did not beat Shelah. It never ever stood a chance! Fly high with those new wings sister, I love you so so so much and will miss you while I spend my time on this earth without you. But I will see you again! -Your baby brother Rey
Survivors include, one son, Patrick John (PJ) Hathaway, of Braidwood, Illinois; one daughter, Meghan Wagge, of Wilmington, Illinois; her parents, Patrick and Ann Williams, of Neosho, Missouri; one brother, Rey Bryand, and his wife, Jessica, of Neosho, Missouri; two sisters, Raquel Ballard, and her husband James (JR) Ballard, of Plainfield, Illinois and Crystal Grgec, and her husband, Stanko, of Springfield, Illinois; one step-brother, Rick Williams, Berwyn, Illinois; one grandson Keegan Peterson; maternal grandmother, Faye Compton, of Moulton, Alabama; one great-grandmother, Virginia Hahn, of Cicero, Illinois; one special friend and companion, Sean Allison, of Braidwood, Illinois; and all of her very special nieces and nephews and a multitude of family she loved dearly.
A Celebration of Life will be held on December 3, 2016 2:00p.m. at PT's on 66, 113 E. Baltimore St. Wilmington, IL 60481.
We will be doing a balloon release if you want to join us, please bring a balloon.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home & Crematory.
SHELAH, I WILL TRULY MISS TAKING AND WORKING WITH YOU, I ENJOYED THE TIME WE GOT TO SPEND TOGETHER AND THE DELICIOUS DINNER WE HAD TOGETHER WHEN I WAS THEIR AT THE PLANT. I TRULY CHARISH OUR LAST CONVERSATION TOGETHER NOT KNOWING IT WOULD BE OUT LAST ON THIS EARTH, YOU NEVER LOST YOUR SPIRIT FOR LIFE, THROUGH IT ALL. CONTINUE TO BE THAT STAR THAT SHINES THE BRIGHTESS IN THE SKY UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN. LINDA GOOLSBY YOUR FOREVER FRIEND AND CO-WORKER
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