Alice T. Russell Swainbank

ST. ALBANS –Alice T. Russell Swainbank, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 3, 2022 surrounded by her loving family at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.

She was born in Ste Brigitte-des-Saults, Quebec on November 10, 1932 to the late Eddie & Marie (Martin) Kane.

Alice was born in Canada and moved to the United States with her family in 1939. She grew up on the family dairy farm in East Sheldon. Her family described her as a “Tom-boy” who loved to be outside. Alice met and married Carlton Russell who was a neighboring farmer down the road. They had three wonderful children together and traveled the world following Carlton’s U.S. Marine career. After selling the farm, the family moved to Florida where Alice went to beautician school in Tallahassee, Florida where she received her beautician license. Alice eventually settled back at the family farm in East Sheldon as a single mom. She worked two jobs to make ends meet, she was a substitute mail carrier and dedicated 25 years to Union Carbide career where coworkers became family. She met her second husband Thomas Swainbank there, the two married and enjoyed several great years together before his passing in 1999. Alice was small in stature but had an enormous personality that was as spunky as ever. She was proud of her Catholic faith, most recently a parishioner at Holy Angels and a member of the Ladies of St. Anne. Alice was always there to brighten the lives of others with her glowing smile. Alice loved growing vegetables, going for walks with her daughter Karen, doing puzzles and reading novels. Wayne, Alice’s son can recall his mom cleaning a perch like a pro. Alice was adored and loved by all who knew her. She was a wife, a mother, a sister, and a grandma too, this is the legacy we have from you.

Alice is survived by her children, Karen Elwood and her husband Steve of St. Albans, Wayne Russell and his wife Jackie of Sheldon, and two step children and their families; grandchildren, Doug Elwood, and Shayley and Benjamin Russell; great grandson, Jack Elwood; special sister, Pat Kane-Breure and her husband Ted of South Burlington; brother, Andrew Kane and his wife Bette of Enosburg; sister-in-law, Joan Kane; brother-in-law, Richard Putnam; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Besides her parents, Alice was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Swainbank; a son, Kevin Russell; stepson, Kevin Swainbank; siblings, Beatrice Reynolds, Edna Putnam, Herman, Dennis, Walter, and Franklin Kane; sisters-in-law, Gloria, Rita, and Alfreda Kane; and the father of her children, Carlton Russell.

Family and friends are invited to Alice’s Life Celebration events to include a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Lake Street, St. Albans, VT 05478. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.

For those who wish, contributions in Alice’s memory may be made to the Franklin County Senior Center, 75 Messenger Street, St. Albans, VT 05478.

Goss Life Celebration Homes is the area’s exclusive provider of Life Celebration events. Please visit our website to share condolences, photos and favorite memories at www.gossfs.com