Susan Rae Russell

Send Flowers


Susan Rae Russell

of Little Rock, AR

March 23, 1950 - October 25, 2021

We mourn the unexpected passing of Susan Russell, wife, mother, grandmother, and dear friend to so many. She was taken way too soon and will be sorely missed.

The oldest of four siblings, Susan was born to John H. Blair and Joan A. Erickson in Minneapolis, MN. The family soon moved to San Diego where she would eventually graduate from the University of California, San Diego and work for many years in biomedical research at Scripps Institute. Nearly eighteen years ago she married Gary Criglow, an Arkansan, moved to Little Rock, and continued her research work at UAMS; the KO mouse strains she developed are now all over the world being studied in a wide range of disease models. She had recently retired.

Working hard and raising her boys as a single mother, Susan still found time for adventures with her friends and many athletic accomplishments. In addition to running the Boston Marathon three times, she hiked in India, China, and Malaysia, and more recently in Alaska, Hawaii, and the entire length of Hadrian's Wall in England. She also took biking trips in Italy and Spain as well as in many parts of the US. Susan loved to travel and to spend time with her grandkids. They were all so special to her, and she was loved tremendously by them.

Susan enjoyed quieter pursuits too; she was a phenomenal knitter and enthusiastic game player. A lover of the outdoors, she exercised daily with her Endorfemme girlfriends and knew many of the pets along the routes; she also read widely and well with her Cheaper than Therapy Book Club friends. Her desserts were legendary, especially the Christmas Crack that we all covet and will miss greatly. She did love to party and was known to dance on the table whenever "Mustang Sally" started playing.
Susan is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Mike. She is survived by her husband, Gary Criglow; brother Patrick Blair (Laurie) and sister Sally Templin (Ron); sons, Eric (Karyn) and Jason (Jodie); bonus children, Jodi Reynolds-Coffelt (Tara) and Graham Criglow; and her treasured grandchildren, Jacob Russell, Shayne Marquez, Beck Russell, Aiden Russell, Audrey Russell, and Olivia Russell.

Her family has decided to postpone memorial celebrations here and in California until after the first of the year. Save your good memories of this lovely and delightful woman so that we may share them then.
Susan loved supporting Jodi's and Tara's animal rescue haven near Russellville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to this wonderful organization.

https://www.facebook.com/Shoal-Bay-Animal-Haven-5243700679796628/.




    Print Obituary

Sign Guestbook

13 Condolence(s)
Emmie Gotthardt
Wrightwood, CA
Liked
Sunday, November 21, 2021

Gary
My sincere condolences and I hope that Susan will find my husband Larry which past October 13 and they can lay a hash trail in Heaven together.
Emmie Gotthardt

Pam Smith (Amy McMarathon)
Irvine, CA
Liked
Sunday, November 14, 2021

I was so saddened to hear of "Shortcakes" passing. She was a kind and very fun friend, and was one of the "Grannies", for our annual Orange County Granny Run". She and Gary (DNR), also came to Orange County's Mammoth Run over several 4th of July's. All of Susan's Hash Friends, will miss her terribly but remember all the very fun times we shared with her.

Kasey McKinley
Orange, CA
Liked
Saturday, November 13, 2021

We will miss Susan aka Shortcake, in the Hash House Harriers Organization, dearly. She was one of the grannies in our Granny Hash run. Even though she lived in Arkansas at Thanksgiving she would come to California to visit relatives and participate in the Granny Hash Run. We always had a lot of fun with Shortcake. She was a loving person.

Carol Staack
La Mesa, CA
Liked
Monday, November 8, 2021

Gary and family,
My deepest condolences. Susan was such a treasure, filled with love with a big mix of fun.

Carol Staack
La Mesa, CA
Liked
Sunday, November 7, 2021

Gary and family,
My deepest condolences. Susan was such a treasure, filled with love with a big mix of fun.

Ann Butts
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, November 7, 2021

Susan was such a wonderful person and friend. I so miss our walks together. I love her and will always miss her.

Chris Krygsman
Orange, CA
Liked
Friday, November 5, 2021

My condolences for your loss of a treasured women. I will remember Shortcake for sharing her kindness and spirit so willingly. My heart breaks for your family. May you all find comfort, laughter and peace in her memories one day soon.

Chris Krygsman
Orange, CA
Liked
Friday, November 5, 2021

My condolences for your loss of a treasured women. I will remember Shortcake for sharing her kindness and spirit so willingly. My heart breaks for your family. May you all find comfort, laughter and peace in her memories one day soon.

tony alfino
San Diego, CA
Liked
Thursday, November 4, 2021

Gary and relations, I am so sorry for your loss, and our loss. Susan helped name me, and showed me how to hare a trail with the Hash House Harriers. You might be amused to learn that when she met me the day of our run she smacked into the wall of her parking spot;) We did a lot of swing dancing together. She and I, and another friend formed an adventure racing team. While training, we discovered that each of our dads died of a heart attack when we were 11 years old, so we named our team "The Kardiacs Kids". We had a nice conversation about our exploits when we were together last month. She and Donna and I had a lengthy conversation about our shared views about Covid then too, which made this more tragic.

James and Kelly David
Brighton, MI
Liked
Wednesday, November 3, 2021

We are heartbroken by the loss of Susan. She will be missed immensely by all whose lives she has touched. Our continued prayers and love go out to Susan’s family.

Kerrey Roberto
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Susan was well-loved by many in the UAMS research community, especially by her colleagues in the Physiology and Biochemistry departments. Her scientific contributions and personal connections will not soon be forgotten.

Rosie Persian (cousin) and Kristi Ross
Watertown, MN
Liked
Wednesday, November 3, 2021

She was such a dynamic and charismatic lady. Always such a joy to be around, bringing stories and laughter. Loved so much…she will be missed!

Fred & Cindy Bachicha
San Antonio, TX
Liked
Wednesday, November 3, 2021

We will remember her spunk and free spirit. Our family is saddened by the loss, but hold strong that God has welcomed her home, where she is made whole again.