Benefactor Dies Of Cancer At 89

Mary Baker Russell, the oldest surviving member of a publishing family and a philanthropist who left her mark on several city institutions, has died. She was 89.

Russell, whose generosity helped fund hospital wings, school buildings and scholarships, died Thursday after battling cancer and emphysema.

“She was a tremendous benefactress and still leaned over to pick up pennies when she found them on the sidewalk,” said her grandson, Richard Russell, 40.

Russell was born in Cleveland, where her family published The Plain Dealer newspaper. Five years later, they bought The News Tribune of Tacoma, and her father, Frank S. Baker, became publisher.

In 1929, Mary wed George F. Russell, whose father founded the Frank Russell Co. Later, their son, George Jr., transformed the Tacoma-based company into a worldwide financial services firm.

The Bakers’ newspaper company also grew to include television and radio stations and a cable television firm.

Mary Russell underwrote the $7.2 million Mary Baker Russell Music Center at Pacific Lutheran University and also funded a $3 million expansion.

Other beneficiaries included Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, the Gertrude V. Baker Plaza and Rose Garden (named for her mother) across from Tacoma General Hospital and an orphanage in Sri Lanka.

Russell is survived by her three children, Mary R. Dodd of Mount Vernon and twins Mildred R. Jensen and George Russell Jr., both of Tacoma, and by 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Her husband, George Sr., died in 1986.