Heart, soul of global giant kept hometown in mind

Last November, George and Jane Russell held a "graduation" party, marking what they said was their passage into a new phase of their lives. More than 1,000 friends showed up.

At the party, George Russell was described as the brains behind the Frank Russell Co., which has grown over the past few decades from a small Tacoma mutual-fund company into a global investment giant, advising clients with more than $1.8 trillion in 35 countries.

But his wife of more than 45 years, Jane Russell, was called the heart and soul of the company.

The company lost its heart and soul early Friday when Mrs. Russell, 67, died of cancer. Looking thin and frail, she had attended the "graduation" — no one wanted to call it a retirement or goodbye event — telling the group that cancer "has changed our priorities, and small things have become big things."

Over the years, Mrs. Russell was involved in many big things.

She was born in Tacoma and spent much of her life making things better for her hometown, for the company she and her husband built, and for her family.

The Russells' destiny seemed intertwined with Tacoma's. George's father was general manager of The News Tribune in Tacoma, owned by George's mother's family, the Bakers. The Mary Baker Russell Center at Pacific Lutheran University is an example of the family's role in the Northwest — and the efforts of Mrs. Russell.

The Bakers and the Russells have been to Tacoma what the Bullitts have been to Seattle. They helped set the tone and character of Tacoma society.

Much of the recent development of Tacoma can be traced to the Russells, especially to Mrs. Russell. She was instrumental in persuading the company to build — and keep — its corporate headquarters in Tacoma. She is often regarded as the mother of the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

The Russells met at Stanford University. Her brother was a friend of George Russell, who first thought she could help him find dates.

But the two found each other, and it stuck — at the annual company picnic they could be seen talking with employees, all the time holding hands.

Paul Nelson, an announcer with KPLU-FM, the radio station at Pacific Lutheran University, said Mrs. Russell "did things the old-fashioned way. She helped a lot of people. When someone like her dies, it seems more of that old-fashioned way of doing things is passing as well."

Mrs. Russell's role within the Frank Russell Co. was key. She is credited with creating a culture that frequently places the company near the top of the national "best places to work" lists.

After she and George Russell spent two months trekking in the Himalayas, they felt so refreshed that they decided their employees should have the same opportunity. As a result, the company was one of the first in the country to offer employees a paid sabbatical.

Among Mrs. Russell's many achievements, she and her husband jointly received the E. Donnall Thomas Medal of Achievement from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, honorary doctorates from Pacific Lutheran University and the 2000 Public Broadcasting System Leadership Award.

There was great breadth and depth to Mrs. Russell's commitments. She was a board member of the American Leadership Forum, KCTS-TV, and BoardSource (a national resource for nonprofit organizations). She was a member of the board of regents for Pacific Lutheran University. She was a past president of the Junior League of Tacoma, an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Pierce County, and chaired boards for St. Joseph Medical Center and Charles Wright Academy. More recently, she served as board co-chairwoman for the Museum of Glass.

In 1999, Mrs. Russell and her husband established The Russell Family Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization in Gig Harbor.

The foundation will work to continue her legacy of support for education and the environment.

On the night of the "graduation" party, she received the first Jane T. Russell Heart & Soul Award for a Lifetime of Community Service. She responded with a treasured bit of advice:

"At the end of each day, concentrate on the happy moments you have had, and, if there are none, make them happen. Did you see the sunrise? Center yourself. Pray. Hug a loved one. Laugh. Read. Exercise. Close your eyes for 15 minutes. Feed your spirit, whatever it takes. Take just a few minutes to define your moments."

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Russell is survived by her children — Richard, Dion, Eric and Sarah — and 11 grandchildren.

There will be a private funeral. A public memorial service will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, 7700 Skansie, Gig Harbor.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent to Habitat for Humanity Tacoma-Pierce County.

Checks should be made payable to Gig Harbor/KPN Habitat for Humanity and sent to P.O. Box 7124, Tacoma, WA 98406.