Born: November 28, 1944. Died March 6, 2026
Section B, Row 1, Lot 8
Mary Alice Hock Russell was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma on November 28, 1944 to John and Kathy (Blower) Hock.
Mary grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma with her parents and 2 siblings, Patty Gerlach and Scollay Hock. She attended Stillwater High School in Stillwater Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma State University for 2 years before she left Stillwater for Layfette Indiana and ultimately Arlington, Texas. After that she moved to her dream home in Burleson, Texas with her husband, Vernon Russell.
Mary had a great love for learning, education, her children, Cindy and Michael, traveling and sailing all over the world with her husband. She also loved being a vegan. Mary earned a Bachelors and two Masters degrees at the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Wesleyan University which fulfilled a lifelong dream to be like her highly educated Grandmother, Cassie, who was a Professor at Oklahoma State University.
Mary was a Teacher at Sherrod Elementary in Arlington, Tx starting in 1981 and retired in 2013 from the Arlington School District where she was a Manager in the Technology Department. Mary loved technology and problem solving in her job. She enjoyed using her technology and problem-solving skills to help her husband, Vernon, and her daughter, Cindy, with their businesses.
Mary’s greatest joy was travelling and sailing the world with her husband, Vernon. She learned how to crew on sailboats which led her to meet her loving husband, Vernon. They married July 14th, 1998. She always talked about the Regattas’ they won and was proud of their sailing accomplishments.
She also loved shopping with her daughter, Cindy, and getting vegan food together especially Avocado Sushi Rolls and Vegan Cookies. Mary worked hard to stay in good physical condition the majority of her life. She started her fitness journey in 1975 as a runner and ran many miles around her neighborhood in Arlington, Texas.
Mary was survived by her husband -Vernon Russell, her daughter -Cindy Monte, her sister – Patty Gerlach, her brother – Scollay Hock, her step-son – Steven Russell, step-daughter – Cherie Merrell, many step-grand and great grandchildren, her niece – Cheri Gerlach, and her nephew – Kurt Gerlach and many wonderful and dedicated caregivers who helped her graciously throughout the last 12 years.