Obituary of June W. Russell

June Williams Russell, 92, of Niskayuna, NY, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on August 27, 2024. She was born on April 3, 1932 in New Rochelle, NY, to Adleen Mott Williams and Roger Williams. June lived in Mount Vernon and Glens Falls, NY as a child and later in Winston-Salem, NC where she attended R. J. Reynolds High School and Salem College as a Student in Music studying piano and desiring to become a church musician. She married William G. Russell in Winston-Salem and they started a family. They moved around the country as their family grew, living in Georgia, Connecticut, Virginia, and upstate NY, settling in Niskayuna in 1967. June, a gifted musician, piano teacher and organist, was beloved by her church, her community, and the multitude of students she taught with her own business. Teaching piano to children and those of all ages and helping them discover a passion for music was her true joy of life. Her students enjoyed her annual piano recitals and holiday parties. She also taught private piano lessons at Union College in Schenectady, NY. June's love of music and service to the church and others was her calling that spanned her lifetime. She began playing the piano as a child and went on to play at area churches in her teens. June was an organist at several Schenectady area churches and frequently played at her home church, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, where she also played the piano for children's Christmas pageants. For many years, June played the piano for the Kiwanis Club's weekly lunch meetings at the Stockade Inn in Schenectady, NY and for senior citizens' lunch programs and Christmas carol singalongs. She was a member of the New York State Music Teachers Association and the American Guild of Organists. June faithfully served as a member then as directress of the Altar Guild at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Schenectady, NY for 37 years. When she was raising her children, June enjoyed family camping trips, especially to Cape Hatteras, NC and the islands of Lake George, NY, and the family loved spending summers on Lake George boating and waterskiing and learning to snow ski at Gore Mountain. Later in life, she owned and operated her own boat for the enjoyment of her family and friends. Her family has fond memories of annual beach vacations with her in Cape Cod and Ocean City, MD, where June loved to relax and work on puzzles on the beach. She also shared her love of music with her family, attending classical concerts at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and other local venues and teaching piano to her children and grandchildren. She especially enjoyed celebrating birthdays and holidays in her home with her children and grandchildren. She always provided love and support to her adoring family and all who knew her. She was patient, kind, and compassionate. June always made time for others. She lifted people up, was positive, always complimenting others. She saw the good in everyone. June loved her country and was proud to support America's efforts in WWII by selling war bonds, which the government used to promote unity and patriotism and to help fund our military. June's love and passion for music, her love of God and service to others, will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her. June is preceded in death by her father, Roger B. Williams, mother, Adleen Mott Williams, sister, Joan Williams Oswalt, and her former husband, William G. Russell. She is survived by her children William Russell (Joyce), Michael Russell, Carolyn Morin (Richard), Elizabeth Pratico (Paul), seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation hours will be at Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady on Friday, September 20 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A Christian service to celebrate June's life will take place on Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Schenectady, NY, followed by entombment at the columbarium.