Memorial Service for Leslie Russell
Donation protected
On Thursday March 29th I received a very devastating and terrifying phone call from my youngest brother Kyle. Our mother had collapsed at home as a result of cardiac arrest. The paramedics arrived quickly and preformed CPR. It was 8 minutes before they were able to get a pulse, and she was finally rushed to the emergency room. For several days the doctors kept her going with a ventilator, and a host of sedatives and other drugs to keep her comfortable while we waited for the difficult news.
Although our family still kept hope that our beloved mother would pull through, the prognosis was not looking good. On Friday, April 6th we had to make the hardest decision our family has ever had to make. The doctors had determined that the injuries my mother sustained to her brain due to lack of oxygen were too severe and she would not be able to recover. My mother aways believed in helping others and was an Organ Donor. During a long and difficult conversation we determined that she would be removed from her life support on Sunday April 8th to give her the best chance of being able to help someone else with the gift of an organ donation.
I cannot explain the emotional rollercoaster our family is going through. We are so thankful for the support from all the people who loved my mom so dearly. We feel as though there is no better way to honor the life of Leslie Russell then to be surrounded by the people who made her the loving, forgiving, funny and eccentric lady that she always was.
In lieu of a funeral service, we have begun planning my mothers memorial. Any donations will help our family make this possible. Thank you for your continued prayers, and love during this extremely difficult time. I also ask if you have photos, videos, or a specific memory of my mom that you would like to share, please contact us.
Katie & Joe Mauriello
Although our family still kept hope that our beloved mother would pull through, the prognosis was not looking good. On Friday, April 6th we had to make the hardest decision our family has ever had to make. The doctors had determined that the injuries my mother sustained to her brain due to lack of oxygen were too severe and she would not be able to recover. My mother aways believed in helping others and was an Organ Donor. During a long and difficult conversation we determined that she would be removed from her life support on Sunday April 8th to give her the best chance of being able to help someone else with the gift of an organ donation.
I cannot explain the emotional rollercoaster our family is going through. We are so thankful for the support from all the people who loved my mom so dearly. We feel as though there is no better way to honor the life of Leslie Russell then to be surrounded by the people who made her the loving, forgiving, funny and eccentric lady that she always was.
In lieu of a funeral service, we have begun planning my mothers memorial. Any donations will help our family make this possible. Thank you for your continued prayers, and love during this extremely difficult time. I also ask if you have photos, videos, or a specific memory of my mom that you would like to share, please contact us.
Katie & Joe Mauriello
Organizer
Katie Mauriello
Organizer
Glen Ellyn, IL
