Gaynell Russell
Gaynell Russell, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend departed this life March 16, 2022, in Brunswick, Georgia, at the age of 80.
The youngest of four children, she was born Gaynell Phyllis Loughney on January 31, 1942, in Dearborn, Michigan, to Russell and Barbara (Burns) Loughney. The family returned to Red Lodge, Montana post WWII, where Gay was raised and attended school.
Gay was an adoring and devoted mom to her four children. A beautician by trade, she was a hardworking and talented hairdresser who loved to make people smile. She especially liked to make others feel welcome,, and often used her skills and creativity with hair styling to help do that.
She was a natural social butterfly. Gay was very personable, had the gift of gab and never met a stranger; she would do anything to help someone in need.
Singing was her passion, and her vocals flowed freely wherever she went. Gay truly enjoyed the many years she spent singing barbershop harmony with Sweet Adeline’s International. Their quartet was quite good and had some success, including winning a trip to Hawaii one year. She played cards like a shark, bowled, and played cribbage like a pro, and laughed with all until the wee hours, long after the last pin dropped.
In addition to her parents, Gay was preceded in death by two sisters, Darla Reid and her husband, Dave, and Catherine Parker; her son, Allan Reimer; brother-in-law, Roddo Bakich; and her first husband, Hubert G. Reimer.
Gay leaves behind her husband, Richard Russell of St. Mary’s Georgia; sister, Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Bakich, of Billings, Montana; two sons, Shawn Reimer and his wife, Tammi Anderson, of Billings, Montana, and Gerald Reimer and his wife, Kathy, of Godfrey, Illinois; daughter, Jennifer Hope and her husband, David Heininger, of Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany; eight grandchildren, Zach Reimer and his wife, Hannah, Austin Kirby, Travis Reimer, Olivia Reimer, Jami Carter, Angie Carter Miller, Lucas Gregorio, and Isabella Hope; and countless friends. Through the years, and even more so in her later years, she expressed the blessing of fond memories of the unique relationships she had with her countless nieces, nephews, and cousins and the greatest hopes she had for each.
Gay was a kind and gentle spirit with a beautiful wide smile that made her eyes sparkle. She is singing with the angels in Heaven’s choir now, and we take comfort in knowing she is at peace. Gaynell’s ashes will be buried at “the cemetery” located on Red Lodge Creek on an unknown date. Thanks is given to all for their kind words and actions.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your
back.
May the sun shine warm upon
your face;
The rains fall soft upon your
fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm
of His hand.
