Gail L. Russell

Gail L. Russell, 88, of Hoffman Estates, IL, passed away January 6, 2026 after a brief illness.

Born May 24, 1937 in Hinsdale, IL, she was the daughter of the late Gordon and Lucille (nee Schumann) Ogden, attending Proviso East High School in Chicago, IL.

Gail was the beloved wife of the late Joe L. Russell; loving mother of Cliff Russell (Rachelle) and Greg Russell (Ellen); and adoring grandmother of Matthew Russell (Taylor) and Steven Russell (Tara).

In her early life, Gail was a Delta Flight Attendant, a meaningful pursuit she thoroughly enjoyed and also the corporate setting where she met her husband, Joe.

Later as a mother, Gail’s contributions to the community were legendary, a tireless supporter of athletics and other community events in Dundee, Illinois where she raised her two sons. She enthusiastically attended all of her sons’ football, baseball, and basketball games and also ran the food and beverage concessions for grade school, high school, and extracurricular events. For more than a decade, Gail was well known among athletes in Dundee for her energy, compassion, and dedication.

As her sons went off to college, Gail took on an amazing new career that lasted nearly forty years as a Travel Director for Maritz Travel and other travel companies. She traveled the world supporting the company’s events and her Travel Director vocation became central to her life as a truly rewarding career. She continued working as a Travel Director into her late 80’s and looked forward to every trip over the four-decade span.

Gail’s Family plans a Celebration of Life event in the future, location/video options to follow.

We encourage posting warm memories to share and help a large population of friends and family grieve together.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.