Person Gill Russell 785

Information from an eulogy provided by Maggie Westley:

Gillian was born in London on 24th June 1937. Post war, the family settled in Putney where Gill attended Putney High School from 1948 to 1955. Sadly her father died in 1949. Her mother later remarried, and her stepfather became a much-loved character. He encouraged her love of music, choral singing and the piano, which stayed with her throughout her life.

At some point, Gill discovered the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, which proved to be a very important part of her leisure activities. She took an active role in forming a group called the Cairngorm Dancers, organizing weekend schools and Hogmanay breaks.

In 1987, Gill and Rita Marlow, who had met through Scottish Country Dance, decided to sell their London flats, and buy a home to share “until retirement”. The arrangement worked extremely well, and Ashtead proved to be the ideal home.

The move to Ashtead encouraged involvement with a local group – The Wallington Scottish Association, and so the dancing continued. Dancers from the area provided enjoyable entertainment for Gill, other Residents and Staff at The Red House for their Burns’ Night celebrations.

She was rather strict with display teams. Male Scottish dancers were told to wear dark underpants beneath kilts if taking part in displays, especially when dancing on a stage. Travelling to France with one group, it was reported that she did check their attire!

Gill’s stroke, which resulted in her needing constant care and assistance proved difficult for her. However, caring and loving the delightful Staff at The Red House proved to be. The COVID-19 outbreak was not helpful either – she did miss her visitors.

According to Maggie Westley, Gill was a qualified RSCDS teacher but didn’t really like teaching too much.

Gill Russell also wrote a couple of dances like “Polesden Lacey”, “Cobham Hornpipe”, “Millennium” and “The Almo Rant” (the latter together with Rita Marlow).