Emma L. Russell, 86, of Edison passed away on Sunday December 27th at JFK Medical Center after a brief illness. Emma was born in Newark to the late Marie and August Benz. She was a 1951 graduate of West Side High School. Emma moved to Edison to raise her family and resided there for 60 years. Emma was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a kind and gentle soul and will be greatly missed by the family she was so proud of and her many friends. Emma enjoyed the Great American Songbook, classic Broadway musicals and reading poetry. She looked forward each year to the Plays in the Park. Never a licensed driver, Emma was an avid walker. She was a season ticket holder and big fan of the Rutgers Lady Knights and enjoyed listening to WCTC on her transistor radio. Out of high school, Emma worked for Irvington Varnish. After raising her children, she worked for Nu-Car Carriers and Revlon. Emma had been a member of the Edison First Aid Squad Ladies Auxiliary. She was a parishioner of Guardian Angels Church in Edison. She was active in the Columbiettes and was an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary. Emma is survived by her son, Donald and wife Nancy; grandchildren, Michael and Jacqueline McGlynn, Anthony Russell and Amber Ash, Lauren Russell and Gilbert Vizcarra, Wally Russell and Danny Nicole Deason, and Eric Russell and Stephanie Haswell; great grandchildren, Michael, Milah, Zoey, Zayden, Braxton, Aubree, Aiden, and Cameron; sister-in-law, Alice Russell; and son-in-law, Mike McGlynn. Emma is predeceased by her parents; her husband of 38 years, Walter; brother, Gus; sister, Kay; son, Wally; daughter, Debbie, and daughter-in-law, Anita. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all services are private. A Funeral Mass will be held at a future date to celebrate Emma’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Emma’s honor can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at nationalmssociety.org.