Joan K. Russell

Joan "Omi" Russell

On June 7, 2026, our beloved Omi, Joan Russell, passed away surrounded by the love of family and friends whose lives she touched through her kindness, generosity, fierce spirit, and deeply caring heart.

Joan was born on November 30, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, and spent her youth in Highland Park Illinois. From an early age she showed the independence and determination that would define her life. Joan married her middle-school sweetheart, Tim Russell, and had two children, Karli and Kael. When their marriage came to an end in 1974, Joan moved to Boulder, Colorado to raise her children beneath the Flatirons and Rocky Mountains she had fallen in love with years earlier while traveling through Colorado. Although their marriage didn't last, Joan and Tim remained friends and held a deep love for each other.

Joan believed deeply in education and the power it could have to change lives. As a single mother balancing family, work, and school, she earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado and later her master's degree from Colorado State University. Recognizing the challenges faced by other single parents pursuing higher education, she founded Single Parents on Campus (SPOC), a support organization at CU that helped others find community, encouragement, and resources.

She spent much of her career serving students and families through the Boulder Valley School District as head of the Community Schools program. Along with heading up countless classes and programs, one of Joan's major accomplishments was starting the SACC (School-Aged Child Care) program.

BVSD is also where she met her husband, Chuck McElwain. They started as co-workers and ended up building a partnership filled with laughter, adventure, and love. True to Joan's unique spirit, they celebrated their marriage multiple times over the years. Their first ceremony took place during a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City where they were treated to a terrible 41-7 loss. They later made it official at the Boulder County Courthouse, renewed their vows at one of Joan's famous birthday celebrations surrounded by family and friends, and were also pronounced husband and wife once more by a beloved neighbor who happened to be a Methodist minister, during a dinner gathering at the local Tandoori Grill restaurant.

Nothing brought Joan more joy than being "Omi" to her granddaughters, Maggie and Lucy. She delighted in sharing adventures with them, especially trips to Rocky Mountain National Park. Together they wandered Sprague Lake, searched for cinnamon bears, attended every ranger talk, and created memories that will remain part of their lives forever. She loved traveling in her RV and had an extraordinary gift for making friends wherever she went. Strangers rarely stayed strangers for long.

Joan's passions were many. She was a devoted baseball fan from childhood onward. Her love for the Chicago White Sox began with her father, Poppie, and she proudly counted Minnie Miñoso among her favorite players. When Colorado was awarded a Major League Baseball franchise, Joan became a founding member of the Colorado Rockies Prospector Club and a loyal Rockies fan from the very beginning.

Sports were never simply games to Joan. She experienced every victory and heartbreak as if she were on the field herself. Alongside her husband Chuck, she traveled across the country supporting University of Colorado football, cheering passionately for the Buffs and caring deeply about the student-athletes who represented the university.

Music also held a special place in Joan's heart. She was a lifelong fan of John Denver and attended many of his concerts. Following his death, she made annual pilgrimages to Aspen for memorial tributes and celebrations of his music, often bringing (more accurately dragging) Chuck along, whether he was entirely enthusiastic about the trip or not.

She found equal wonder in the natural world. Every autumn she watched for the arrival of the meteor showers and carefully planned camping trips to Rocky Mountain National Park so family and friends could gather under the night sky. Some of the happiest evenings were spent in Moraine Park, loop A, lying on picnic tables or blankets, watching streaks of light cross the darkness overhead.

Joan's greatest gift was her ability to build community. She welcomed people into her life with warmth and curiosity. She believed in showing up for others, lending a hand, sharing a meal, celebrating successes, and helping people through difficult moments. Joan opened her home to many and helped many people build better lives. Her generosity of spirit created ripples that extended far beyond what she could have known.

Joan was also a devoted companion to a long line of beloved dogs, including Kali, Molly, Annie, Carson, Lily, Luna, and Abby, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

She is survived by her loving husband, Chuck McElwain; daughter Karli; son Kael; sister Barbara Tomin; son-in-law Aaron; granddaughters Maggie and Lucy; and her beloved golden retriever, Abby.

Joan's life was one of courage, compassion, curiosity, and connection. She made the world larger for those who knew her, and her love will continue to guide the family and friends who were fortunate enough to share in her journey.

In lieu of flowers, donations and acts of tzedakah may be made in Joan's memory to the Har HaShem Education Fund or Heidi's Heroes. Whenever you see a shooting star blaze across the sky, or an eagle soaring in the breeze - think of it as Joan saying hello.