Mona M. Russell, née Allison, a Concord resident since 1971, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, November 12, with both her children at her side, at the age of 87. She had six siblings, and is survived by only one of them, Roger Allison. Mona was preceded in death by her brothers, Duane Allison, Hugh Allison, and Lew Allison, and by her sisters, Nancy Ellingson and Betty Jo Sylvia.

Mona is survived by her sons, Gary and Michael, and Gary’s wife, Virginia. Mona was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, of 51 years. Mona is also survived by a large extended family.

Mona was born on August 15, 1930, in Sherwood, North Dakota, and moved to San Francisco with her family when she was 13. Mona and Jack graduated from Balboa High School in San Francisco,and they had their first date graduation night. They were married on January 12, 1951. Their sons, Michael and Gary, were born in San Francisco. The family moved to the Bellevue, Washington, area in 1958. They lived there for ten years, and then moved to Anchorage, Alaska. After spending two years there, they returned to California, in particular, to Concord.

In Washington and Alaska, the family went on many wonderful camping trips, almost always with members of the extended family. In the SF Bay Area, camping was more problematic, due to the amount of automobile traffic into and out of the area on weekends, so Jack and Mona turned to a sail boat for recreation. They spent many happy days floating on San Francisco Bay, giving rides to family and friends.
Jack had to travel for his work, and Mona went with him. They saw much of the world together. Gary and Michael want to extend special thanks to Lynn Marie Randall for her help caring for Aunt Mona, during the final days. Mona and Jack requested that their ashes be sprinkled together in the ocean off of Monterey, California, by their sons, Michael and Gary. The ashes of their beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Crystal, will be sprinkled at the same time.

Mona and Jack could not have been better parents. Gary and Michael loved them dearly, and feel their absence keenly.

If Mona doesn’t get into Heaven, then no one will. She was consistently kind and generous to everyone.
We will celebrate Mona’s life at Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel, 4125 Clayton Road, Concord, California, 94521 at 11am on Sunday, November 19, 2017. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mona’s name to the charity of your choice. Please dress comfortably.

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