Barbara Stoll Russell passed away on June 18, 2024, quietly in her sleep. Known as Bunny, or Bun-bun to her grandchildren, she was a lover of life, such as tennis, the arts, gardening, not-for-profit work, games, her numerous friends, and most importantly, her family. Always positive and encouraging, she enjoyed things as simple as a rainstorm or as exciting as a five set tennis match. She lived an incredibly well rounded life, and will continue her pursuits in Heaven above.

Barbara will be reunited in Heaven with her loving husband of 60 years, Philip, and with parents Neumann and Marie Stoll. She is survived by her brother Peter (Sara) and sister Kate Marie Giordano (Emilio), children Peter (Ellen), Henry (Meredith), and Anne, as well as six grandchildren, Jack, Samantha Nerreau (Brad), Patrick (Miriam), Brian, Hailey and Eliza, and one great grandchild, Josephine Nerreau. She is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews.

Barbara Arrup Stoll was born on Groundhogs day, February 2, 1938, the oldest of her and her two siblings, Peter and Kate-Marie, and grew up on Rosemore Ave in Glenside, Pa. The valedictorian of her high school, Cecilian Academy, she went on to Chestnut Hill College, where she graduated as a mathematics major.

She met Philip (Phil) in 1960, while she was attending graduate school and he was serving in the US Navy; their courtship lasted two dates, and they were married on September 17, 1960. They subsequently lived in Staten Island, having all three of their children, and moved to Abington in 1969, where they lived happily together for the next 60 years. Although officially listed as a "home maker" Bunny volunteered extensively and also made time for her competitive tennis. Her extracurricular interests, however, did not prevent her from cooking every meal and serving only homemade bread. Bunny enjoyed PBS shows and playing card and board games with her children and grandchildren (who referred to her as Bun-bun), as well as more physical endeavors like family doubles and skiing. She played tennis and skied well into her seventies. Bunny also loved toiling in her flower and vegetable gardens spending most of her early, summer mornings there. A voracious reader since childhood, Bunny made many trips to the Abington Free Library.

Bunny was a long time Philadelphia Inter-club tennis player for the Philadelphia Rifle Club and later the Delaware Vally tennis club. Bunny performed the commissioner duty for many seasons, dutifully collecting, correlating, and reporting the match results from all the Cups every week. Many nights were spent at the dining room table resolving disputes from the league's team captains. Bunny was an accomplished player as well, and was a USTA member participating in the Middle States region, for InterDistricts, InterSectionals and Addie Cup, often representing the region for national tournaments. Bunny won many singles and doubles (mostly with Betty Weiss) tournaments reaching a #1 region ranking in both disciplines' multiple times through various age groups. Bunny and Betty were able to win a USTA national doubles tournament in 1992! Bunny also reached a Top Ten National Ranking with her daughter, Anne, in the Mother / Daughter National Tournament Series.

Bunny was an active member of Our Lady's Help of Christians Catholic church in Abington, PA performing many duties including being a lector, CCD teacher, and Eucharistic Minister. Bunny's regular volunteering included Aid for Friends, Philabundance, Art Goes to School, and the American Red Cross and Blood and Platelet donation. Bunny was a Docent at the Philadelphia Zoo for over 25 years, once traveling to Peru to count Humbolt Penguins!

After Phil's passing in 2020, Bunny moved to Artman assisted living in Ambler and resided at Artman until her death. Bunny's favorite past times at Artman included reading her Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost collections, bingo, and visiting with the duck broods, which frequented Artman's pond. Although diagnosed with dementia Bunny always recognized family and friends and retained an excellent long term memory, reciting her favorite poetry lines. Bunny's numerous friends called and visited regularly, for which she was extremely thankful. She loved getting updates from her children and grandchildren and was extremely proud of them all. Her family knew this very well, and the feelings were mutual.

Bunny's funeral mass will be celebrated at OLHC on June 29th at 11 AM EST and interment will occur later this summer at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine, to join Philip in the Russell family plot.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa 19104, or to Artman Home 250 N. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, Pa. 19002 would be appreciated by the family.