Mary L. Russell

Mary L. Russell passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 12, 2024, in Dorset, Vermont. Mrs. Russell was born in Smithtown, Long Island, N.Y., on May 11, 1932, to Charles A. Carroll and Sarah (née Pyatte) Carroll. She was 92 years old. She is survived by her four children: Katharine Horgan (sp. Bob decd.) of Maine, Timothy (Deborah) Long of New Hampshire, Ryan (Michaeline) Long of Florida, Susan Long of New York City; her grandchildren: Lillian Darche (Haynes Johnston), Sam Darche (Lisa Marie), Chloe Maggs (Bobby), Derek Long (Anastasia), Emily Long, Atlas de Voldere and Cyrus de Voldere; her great grandchildren: Hannah Johnston, Scarlet Johnston, Mars Johnston, August Darche, Thomas Long, Theodore Long, Ayden Long and Kyla Reed; and her nephew Charles Carroll, Jr. (Angela). She was predeceased by her husband Bobby P. Russell in 2016 and her first husband, Thomas J. Long in 2003; her brothers, Charles D. Carroll (d. 2019) and Richard J. Carroll, Sr. (d. 2008). Mary attended Plattsburgh State University (B.S., M.S. Ed.). In Plattsburgh, NY she met her first husband and settled on Lake Champlain and had four children. Mary and her husband were avid skiers. Mary traveled far and wide to follow her passion, and was always stylishly dressed in the latest fashions, sporting a fur hat and the season's newest tailored ski clothes. Mary was a talented, dedicated and caring kindergarten and elementary-school educator, teaching for 25 years at the SUNY Plattsburgh Campus School. This unique educational program connected to the college allowed Mary to foster mentor relationships and train the next generation of teachers. In 1974, Mary and her first husband Thomas J. Long bought The Warren Hotel, a 200 room Victorian hotel in Spring Lake, NJ. For 30 years, they tirelessly worked to improve and strived to ensure that this landmark hotel would live up to its centuries-old reputation of Old World charm. They turned a seasonal business into a year round operation and quickly became pillars of their new community. As a hotelier, Mary was in charge of the reservation department. In homage to her teaching days she made elaborate charts with dates and colored tape to keep track of what rooms were rented. Mary was self-taught in the hospitality business and she flourished in this second career. Divorced in 1993, in 1995, Mary married Bobby P. Russell and continued working at the Warren Hotel until 2000. They retired to Manchester, Vermont, where they built a family home inspired by the Lincoln Family home, Hildene, to entertain and receive guests. Mary was always eager to open her home and to entertain new and old friends. With winters in Ocean Ridge, Florida and summers in Vermont, Mary worked on her golf game and cultivated her passion for antique tableware. The latter would be a pastime she held onto until the end of her life, always looking out for an interesting plate or serving bowl. Additionally, Mary was passionate about her gardens designed by Gordon Hayward. She would spend hours in her gardens and loved to invite guests over to see them in full bloom. Mary was an active member of the Manchester, Vermont community. She was a trustee of Hildene: The Lincoln Family Home, from 2005- 2010 helping it to grow from a small house museum into a built out campus. Her other activities included The Manchester Garden Club, Southern Vermont Arts Center, and the Long Trail School. She was a member of the Spring Lake Golf Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Ocean Club, Gulfstream Golf Club, The Golf Club at Equinox and Dorset Field Club. Mary lived a long and beautiful life. She will be remembered as always smiling and laughing and will be deeply missed and remembered by her family, friends, and all who knew her. A graveside service will be held in Dellwood Cemetery at Manchester, Vermont on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Hildene: The Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vermont.