Jeanne Elizabeth Russell

          On Wednesday, October 6, 2021, Jeanne Elizabeth Bleil Skinner Russell, loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away at the age of 95.

          She was born on March 5, 1926, in Tulsa, OK to Beth Atwell Bleil and Herbert Charles Bleil.  Jeanne was a 1943 graduate of Highland Park High School.

          Jeanne was an avid knitter.  She made over 150 personalized Christmas stockings for her nieces and nephews and for other family members and friends.  The stockings are treasured by all and displayed with pride every year.  She also instilled her love and knowledge of birds and flowers to her daughters.

          She was an active and long-time member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder and volunteered with the Friday Fellowship.  She was also a member of the Dallas Woman's Club and numerous garden clubs. 

          Jeanne was the consummate hostess.  She loved entertaining friends and family at the holidays and throughout the year. She also loved to travel. Until the end of her life she talked of the places she would like to go and fondly recalled her many adventures. One of her fondest memories was having traveled to all 50 states.   

          Jeanne was preceded in death by her first husband Bill R. Skinner, by her second husband John G. Russell, and by her daughter Dr. Janet E. Skinner.  She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Bonnie Bleil Hall, Patty Bleil Fowler, and Marilyn Thompson Blenkarn, and by her brother, Bert Bleil.

          She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Skinner Burtt and her daughter-in-law Dale Carlton, both of Dallas TX, as well as by two brothers; Bruce Bleil and wife Peggy of Biloxi, MS, and Charles Bleil and wife Susan of Ft. Worth TX, and by brother-in-law Ken Blenkarn of Tahlequah OK, sister-in-law Barbara Bleil of Richmond, TX, step-daughter Becky Sykes and husband Larry of Reno NV and step-sons John Russell and Ellen Ermis of Kyle TX, Wade Russell of Austin TX,  and Phillip Russell and wife Catherine of Dallas TX, and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

          A celebration of Jeanne's life will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 11:00 at Wynne Chapel, Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd., Dallas TX the Rev. Dr. L. Nelson Bell II officiating.  The service will also be live streamed.  Details regarding the live stream are to follow.

          As much as Jeanne loved flowers, the family requests that memorials instead be made to the American Lung Association, the SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas TX, 75212 or to DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue, P.O. Box 863704, Plano TX, 75086-3704

          The family wishes to thank Magreth and the rest of the staff at The Sage Oak Assisted Living, for their loving care of Jeanne in her final years.