Rosalind Russell nee Kirschenbaum, 93, died on March 29th following a severe aneurysm/stroke. Roz grew up in the Bronx, the daughter of Gertrude Bradspies and Dr. Louis T. Kirschenbaum. She was passionate about literature and earned an English Masters from Columbia College, later working as an editor at Harper & Brothers and Knopf. After her marriage to Jeffrey E. Lawson, she moved to Los Angeles and became a freelance editor, the Director of the Youth Department of Hillel, and the Executive Director of the Young Adults Department of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles. There she raised her daughter, artist Andrea K. Lawson. She later married writer Francis Russell and spent many years in Cape Cod where she was active with the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Over a decade ago, Rosalind relocated to Port Townsend to be near her family. While there she was a member of numerous book groups and AAUW, and served on the Port Townsend Arts Commission. One of her greatest passions was gardening and during her time in Port Townsend she curated an exquisite artwork of plants surrounding her home. She was an enthusiastic reader of everything from mysteries to poetry; a collector of art; and a seeker of encounters with new ideas and people. Roz’s deep appreciation and enjoyment of life and the color to be found in the world was infectious. The memory of her ceaseless elegance, generosity, and love is carried by her daughter Andrea Lawson, son-in-law Michael Hamilton, and granddaughters Daphne and Heather Hamilton. A memorial will be held at 3:15 pm on Saturday, May 11th at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Avenue. In lieu of flowers you are invited to make a gift to the Key City Public Theatre in memory of Rosalind Russell.
Memorial service at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Avenue, Port Townsend, WA. Saturday May 11, at 3:15 PM.
