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RUSSELL, SHIRLEY -- Shirley A. (Carleton) Russell, 61, died Thursday, August 28, 2008 at Salem Hospital following a strong and courageous battle with breast cancer. She was the wife of Brian A. Russell, with whom she shared twenty-eight years of marriage.
Born in Peabody on September 7, 1946, she was the daughter of Dorothy (Roach) Litzenburg and the late Martin Carleton. She was raised and educated throughout the US while her father served in the US Army, and returned to attend Peabody Veterans' Memorial High School, where she was a member of the Class of 1965.
A karate instructor for many years, Shirley was a 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. For twenty years, she owned and operated the Tiger Institute in Saugus. She was a well-regarded and accomplished referee and competitor in many tournaments, through which she developed many close friendships. She was affectionately referred to as "Sa Bum Nim" by her students.
For over fifteen years, Shirley had also been employed with North Shore Neurological Associates in Peabody, where she made many dear friends over the years.
She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and horseback riding, and was a loving and devoted "Mimi" to her granddaughters.
In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Maryellen (Sweeney) and Dan Lear of Beverly, two grandchildren: Samantha and Meaghan Lear of Beverly, a brother, Michael Carleton of Peabody, her mother and father-in-law, Priscilla and Bertram Russell of Danvers; and a loving and dedicated extended family including Mark and Maureen Russell, Bertram Russell III, and Wanda and Michael Pierce. She was the sister of the late Herbert Carleton and stepdaughter of the late Robert Litzenburg.
Her Funeral Service will be celebrated on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 11AM in the Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16 Sylvan St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4-8PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Donations in Shirley's name may be made to the NSMC Cancer Center, 17 Centennial Dr., Peabody, MA 01960.

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