Tuesday, March 4, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Services will be Saturday for former Nevada first lady Marjorie Ann Guild Russell, who died Monday at 80.
Russell, the widow of former Gov. Charles Russell, had been ill in recent months and died at a care center.
The Nevada Assembly adjourned Monday in her memory. Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, called her a "great lady."
Former Gov. Mike O'Cal-laghan, who became a good friend of the Russells, said she "was probably one of the kindest and most considerate people I have ever known."
O'Callaghan, now executive editor of the Las Vegas SUN, said, "She was a true lady in every respect and exemplified those traits so common among the greets."
Gov. Bob Miller said Russell was "the matriarch of one of the state's outstanding families and you can see her character and strength in the success of her family.
"One of my fondest memories as governor was when Sandy and I hosted the Russell's 50th anniversary celebration at the mansion in 1989 shortly after I came to office. I have great respect for this couple and feel a deep sense of loss today."
Sandy Miller said, "I'll always remember what a bright and warm person she was. I saw her last week and I'm glad I had the chance to speak with her one more time. I think the highest tribute to Mrs. Russell is that she raised five outstanding children, whose lives reflect the kind of woman she was."
Sandy Miller is gathering an oral history from former state first ladies and said Russell was the first to contribute.
Russell served on the board of trustees of the Nevada State Museum from July 1977 until June 1993 when she retired. The Center for Clothing and Textile at the museum was named in her honor in 1993. She donated many of her personal garments, including her two inaugural gowns.
Her father, Judge Clark Guild, was responsible for getting the U.S. Mint in Carson City and converting it to the state Museum.
She was born April 16, 1916, in Yerington and spent her early years there. She graduated from Castilleja School in Palo Alto, Calif., a girls prep school. She then graduated from Mills College in Oakland, Calif.
She taught elementary school in Gold Hill in Storey County and at Ruth in White Pine County. It was at Ruth she met Charles Russell, who was editor of the Ely Record newspaper. They were married March 19, 1939, and she did not return to teaching.
Charles Russell, who died in 1989, served in the Assembly and later in the Senate. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1946. He was elected governor in 1950 and re-elected in 1954.
After that, he went to Paraguay, where he headed the U.S. government's economic development efforts. After Paraguay, he returned to Nevada and became director of development for the University of Nevada.
Russell was the third Nevada-born first lady. She raised her children in the governor's mansion. Her brother, Clark J. Guild Jr., said she kept the family together during the many moves in her husband's political life.
And she maintained great interest in music and books, said Guild.
Survivors include her sons, Clark and Todd of Carson City, Craig of Dallas and David of Reno; a daughter, Virginia Sakal of Ithaca, N.Y.; Guild of Reno, and 14 grandchildren.
Saturday's funeral is set for 10 a.m. at the Lutheran Church in Carson City.
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