Mary Betty Russell (nee Lazzaro), 68, of Royal Palm Beach, FL and Davidsonville, MD, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 6, 2015 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mary was born in Baltimore, MD to Frank Albert Jr. and Myrtle J. (nee Schools) Lazzaro. She graduated from the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore, MD in 1965. Mary began her career with Bell Telephone Company in Annapolis, MD, which is now Verizon, and also worked many years for McCrone Inc., an engineering firm. She later moved to Leonardtown, MD where she had her own photography business and held numerous positions, including writing and recording commercials for the local radio station, working for the printing press and working as an agent for All State Insurance. Mary also served as an elected Commissioner of St. Mary's County. She relocated to Stuart, Florida 20 years ago. Her love of animals led to her dog care business in Martin County and Palm Beach County. In 2008 Mary helped her sister open a women's consignment boutique "The Open Armoire" in downtown Stuart, where she enjoyed fashion and new friendships. Mary had a zest for life and enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, reading, riding her motorcycle, sci-fi movies and spending time with her family and friends. Mary had a dynamic personality and anyone who met her loved her. Mary's memory will be cherished by her husband, Paul D. Gaug of Davidsonville, MD; two step children, Paul A. (Suzanne) Gaug of Huntington, MD and Karen A. Gaug of Davidsonville, MD; seven step grandchildren and one step great grandchild. She is survived by her brother, Frank A. (Janet) Lazzaro III of Lebanon, MO; three sisters, Virginia M. Roll of Richmond, VA, JoAnn L. (Thomas) Akins of Royal Palm Beach, FL and Barbara D. (Daniel) Garber of Tequesta, FL; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of loving family members. A memorial gathering will be held 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at Palms West Funeral Home with a memorial service beginning at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Mary's memory to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, 10948 Acme Rd, Wellington, FL 33414, (561) 309-3311, http://www.bdrr.org.
