Jewel A Russell

Jewel Annette Russell

Sunrise: June 14, 1952—Sunset: August 24, 2022

    Surrounded with lots of love from her family, Jewel Annette Russell transitioned from this life on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Jewel was born to the late Lloyd and Joan Wharton in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The second of four children, Jewel was raised with two brothers and one sister. A quiet and studious child, everyone loved Jewel.

    She received her early education at St. Margaret’s School and Tranquility College in Trinidad. In 1969 she immigrated to the United States and continued her education at Cambridge High and Latin. In 1974, she married Rudolph R. Russell, Sr. and the same year the military relocated them to Japan. In 1978, Jewel returned to Massachusetts and worked at Read’s Jewelry in Central Square, Cambridge.

    Jewel was truly grounded, rooted and committed to excellence for children. She earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College, Boston, MA and a graduate degree in Education from Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA. When she enrolled her children at the Henry Buckner School (HBS), Cambridge, MA she was an active parent and participated in school activities. In 1985, Jewel became a volunteer at the school and loved it so much that she gained certification as an early childhood teacher and worked at HBS as an Assistant Teacher, a Teacher, Lead Teacher, Director (1989) and Executive Director. She retired in 2018 after 33 years of dedicated service.

    Jewel received numerous awards throughout her career, including the 2003 Volunteer of the Year award from Cambridge Health Alliance, the Peace and Justice Award from Cambridge Peace Commission, A tribute to Outstanding Women from the Cambridge YWCA, the Warren P. MacEachern Award for her Dedication and Support of Cambridge Youth Employment. In 2020, Jewel received the Drum Major for Education award from the Cambridge Chapter of the NAACP for her decades-long dedication and contributions to education in Cambridge. She was a member of the Directors subcommittee of the Cambridge Community Partnership for Children. Jewel also served on the Cambridge School Department Special Education Task Force and the Cambridge Martin Luther King, Jr. School Council. St. Paul AME Church awarded her the Reverend Dr. Ozzie L. Edwards Educators Award.

    A faithful and active worshipper at St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge, MA, Jewel was Treasurer of the Margaret Hazel Women’s Missionary Society & volunteered at the Elnora Yard Food Pantry.

    Jewel’s grandchildren were her pride and joy and they loved going to grandma’s house. Her family describe her as a loyal, loving, gentle person with excellent listening skills and an encouraging word. However, she didn’t tolerate foolishness. She raised her children to be good citizens, representing well at home and in the community. Jewel was a master at Hula Hoop. She had a delightful sense of humor and she loved to dance, ride her bike, and take walks around the river. Jewel was a joy to know! 

    Jewel leaves to cherish her legacy, her children: Rudolph, Jr., Reynold and Jaclyn; grand-children: Naima, Noah, Jocelyn,Naiomi, and Quinn; sister: Diann Wharton of Cambridge, MA; brothers: Lloyd Wharton of Cambridge, MA and Roland Wharton of Trinidad; daughter-in-love: Susana UbaldoRussell of Milton, MA; nephews: Rashaad Wharton, Patricio Russell, III and Lascelle Russell all of Cambridge, MA; and a host of many special friends and loved ones who will treasure her memory. Forever loved. Until we meet again.

Zoom Link: 
 https://zoom.us/j/655423129
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 655 423 129 

Instead of flowers, the family would like to honor Sis. Jewel by sending donations to her daughter's programs. Please the information below. 
The Cambridge Program Friends
1 Hardwick Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
(Check Only)
Please send other cards of encouragement to:
Russell/Groves Family
44 Howard Street, Cambridge, MA 02139-2910

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