Nan Lee Russell

Nan Lee Russell was born in Murray, Utah on December 1st, 1943, and died on April 17th, 2022, in Los Angeles, California, surrounded by her family. She was the only daughter of Edna Eleanor Hadean and Harold Burton McHenry. The youngest of three, she is survived by her two brothers, Harold Gary McHenry, of Holliday, Utah and Ted L. McHenry, of Arvada, Colorado. She is also survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, John, her daughter, Amber, son-in-law, Luke, her two grandchildren, Chloe and Stephen John, and seven nieces and nephews.


Nan had a simple childhood in Murray, Utah. She grew up in a small one-bedroom house that created the foundation for Nan's practical, resourceful, adventurous, and relentlessly optimistic approach to life. Her mom was a pianist and organ player for local churches, including the Lutheran church that Nan grew up in. Her father drove delivery trucks and later owned a business with his two brothers. With the support of her grandparents on both sides, they had animals that provided milk, butter, eggs, and meat, and a large, productive garden. Edna saw to it that they were always well-dressed as she made most of their clothes. Nan always had the prettiest dresses in the latest fashion, which is how Nan learned her love for sewing that gave her great enjoyment throughout her life. Her favorite time of day was mornings when her mom would get up at the crack of dawn to start the fire in the coal stove, which was their main source of heat for the house and for cooking meals. On cold winter days Edna would have hot chocolate ready and they would put down the oven door and sit around the stove for warmth. Life was tough, but Nan and her brothers didn't know it. It made them stronger. Life during her childhood was not a bowl of cherries but the ones her family had tasted pretty good!


During high school, Nan worked in a pizzeria and also started modeling when she was discovered in a local department store. At 19, she modeled in Utah and then on the runways in New York. She met her loving husband John in Utah while modeling. A year later, they were married. They moved to San Mateo, California where Nan continued her modeling career in San Francisco and later in Los Angeles. Her modeling career grew to include appearances in magazines, newspapers, TV commercials, the runway, and as a Max Factor lady.


Nan's and John's only daughter, Amber, was born in Los Angeles. Nan continued modeling for several years after Amber's arrival and later began working for Whitehall Laboratories in sales. Nan worked for Whitehall for 11 years retiring in 1996 to spend retirement years with John. During their marriage, they traveled all over Europe several times, to Turkey, Hong Kong, and around the United States. Nan loved to travel and explore any chance she could.


Nan loved her role as a grandma dearly. She cared with all heart for her two grandchildren, Chloe and Stephen John, and cherished each moment she had with them. She was fortunate to play a big role and influence in their lives as they lived close to her in Los Angeles. When the grandchildren were younger, Nan would take them shopping or to lunch. Over time, the roles reversed, and as Chloe and Stephen John had learned from Nan, they would regularly pick up Nan for shopping and lunch dates. Nan left a lasting impact in her appreciation for these times together.


After 11 surgeries over the last few years, Nan was diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumor in early February. She fought the good fight with a remarkable attitude, as she always did, but the cancer won.


Nan passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, with her family by her side, holding her hands. She made a huge impact on so many lives, through her love, kindness, intelligence, warmth, humor, feistiness, and inimitable personality. She was a truly remarkable person. Her family will miss her terribly, but knows she is finally out of pain now, at peace, and likely stirring things up in heaven. The best of her will live on in so many of us.