Michelle Louise Russell, 35, of Salem, Oregon passed away Saturday. She was born in Lebanon to Lionel Jr. and Tammy Laine (Ericksen) Grizzle. Her nickname was Buttercup.

She lived in various places in the Willamette Valley. During high school, she worked locally at many jobs. She graduated from Lebanon High School in 1998. She married Matthew Scott Russell in Sublimity on June 23, 2007, and they raised their two kids together. They were an active couple on the go and enjoyed life. Their marriage later ended in divorce.

Michelle attended Western Oregon University in psychology legal studies. She graduated from Western in 2009. During college she worked at the law office of Daniels and Ivers in Albany. After college she worked as a family law paralegal at Sherman, Sherman, Johnnie & Hoyt from 2010 to 2014. In 2014 she started working for Armstrong Chai PC in Salem.

She was extremely outgoing; always on the go. She competed in marathons. She loved spending time and going to the beach with her children. She enjoyed traveling and visiting places like Thailand, Amsterdam, and other international places.

Michelle is survived by: son Skylar Russell of Salem; daughter Addison Russell of Salem; parents Lionel and Tammy Grizzle of Sweet Home; step-sister Stephine Maham of Lebanon; half-brother Michael Padilla of Salem; grandfather Lionel Grizzle Sr. of Sweet Home; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 7, 2015 at Gilliland Cemetery. A celebration of Michelle’s life will be at 4:00 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2015 at Willamette Heritage Center, Dye Room, in Salem.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.