Yona Jeanne RUSSELL(1947 - 2017)

RUSSELL, Yona Jeanne

 

 

 

Yona Jeanne Russell (née Crane), 69, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away suddenly on July 3, 2017, from complications of diabetes. Jeanne was born in Spokane, WA on July 11, 1947, to Lloyd and Yona Crane. She was welcomed into a family with two older brothers, Bill and Jim Crane. Jeanne graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, Class of 1965 and went on to attend Eastern Washington State College. After college she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii for several years. Jeanne then returned to Spokane and worked a variety of jobs in the Spokane area before she married Bart Russell. They were blessed with two wonderful sons, Sean and Clayton. Her sons were the light of her life, she loved and cherished them.
Jeanne and her boys later moved to the Seattle area. Her favorite job in Seattle was with Icicle Seafoods. During her time working for Icicle Seafoods, Jeanne began to use her given name of Yona. That change made fewer mix ups at Icicle with the several Jeannes that worked there. Although her name change didn't really catch on with many of her Spokane friends it worked for her and she was very pleased with the change. She was very proud of her Icelandic heritage and was able to show that through her name. She and son, Sean, were able to make a trip to Iceland which they both enjoyed.
The only thing that brought her more joy and happiness than her sons was the arrival of her beautiful grandchildren, Noah and Raina, (Sean and Annie) and Ryder (Clayton). They were truly the light of her life.
After retiring from Icicle Sea foods, Yona moved back to Spokane and reconnected with friends and family living in the area. Yona made friends quickly and loved talking with one and all. She had a wonderful sense of humor and laugh. Yona loved to shop for gifts for her grandchildren and she was always on the lookout for the perfect pair of shoes for herself.
Yona Jeanne leaves behind many beloved family and friends, all blessed by her generous nature with whom she shared her kindness, her joy of life and her love of God. A celebration of her life was held on July 13, 2017.


Published in Spokesman-Review on Aug. 13, 2017