Sandra Russell

Sandra Tignanelli Russell

February 19, 1941 – August 15, 2019

Sandra Tignanelli Russell, 78, passed peacefully at home with her loving daughter and care giver Cathy by her side August 15, 2019.

Preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Earl R. Russell, Jr. She is survived by her children Raymond Russell, Patricia Danaher (James) and Catherine Gerretz. She is also survived by the grandchildren she was so proud of, Patrick Hottenson, Sharee Parkhomchuk (Moses), Cory Tillia (Chelsea), Edward Gerretz and Bryan Gerretz (Mecca) and seven great grandchildren.

The daughter of Antonio Tignanelli and Catherine Novakowski, Sandy was born and raised in Bunola, PA. She graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1959. In 1967 she moved to Levittown, PA with her husband and young family and has called it home ever since.

Sandy was a stay at home Mom raising her young children. When they were older, she held several jobs ultimately acquiring a position as a bookkeeper with the Salvation Army ARC in Trenton, NJ. She would work here until her retirement.

She belongs to the congregation of The Salvation Army Levittown Corps. She shared the love of God and the mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ that is at the core of The Salvation Army mission. Whenever possible, Sandy volunteered to help meet the needs of the community through the church. She cherished her relationship with the church and would miss it in her later years.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to taste her apple pie knew that she excelled at baking. A cherished memory among family members, especially her grandchildren, was the annual fall trip to the apple farm to pick the perfect apple. Always followed by a night of peeling, laughing, dicing, being told you were not doing it right, seasoning the apples and preparing the dough. The next day the family would gather again to assemble and bake pies with Grandma leading the way.

Sandy loved to gamble, she loved the casinos and could sit at a slot machine for hours. Her yearly trips to Las Vegas with her siblings were among her fondest memories. For more than 18 years the family traveled to a different destination followed by a visit to Las Vegas. Proceeded in death is her brother Andrew Tignanelli and his wife Yvonne, her sister Geraldine Mazza and her husband Ralph. She is survived by Aquilla Nagy (her late husband Larry), Frances Tignanelli (Phyliss) and Joseph Tignanelli (Cheryl). Also proceeding her in death was her niece Andrea Tignanelli. She is survived by a niece Carole Tignanelli whom she had a special bond and many more nieces and nephews.

So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Isaiah 41:10                            

Just as her husband stated before her Sandy too recounted her life as having been a good one and when told she would not survive this illness she simply said “OK”

Services will be held Thursday August 29, 2019 at Galzerano Funeral Home in Levittown PA.  Calling hours are from 11:00 – 12:00 immediately followed by a service. Interment will follow at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, PA.