Mary "Cook" Theresa Russell, age 61, of Clements, MD, passed away on December 5, 2019, at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, MD with her loving family at her side. She was born January 21, 1958 in Leonardtown, MD to the late George and Teresa Cook.

Mary was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County and a graduate of Chopticon High School. She was a dedicated employee at the Center for Life Enrichment for over 35 years as a caregiver until her retirement in September of 2019. She loved and cared for all of her clients and treated each as her own family.

In her younger years, Mary and her friends spent weekends having a good time on the Square in Leonardtown. She enjoyed playing pitch with her family on Saturdays. Her family was her greatest love and she especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren, Julia and Ethan. She was an excellent cook and her culinary skills were the highlight of countless family gatherings. Her hobbies included playing bingo, relaxing in her front yard watching the birds in their feeders and collecting solar lights for the yard. Mary enjoyed vacationing at Myrtle Beach with her daughter, son-in-law and grandkids.

Mary is survived by her companion of 32 years, James Joy of Clements, MD; her daughter, Amber Marie Joy (Daniel) of Chaptico, MD; her siblings: Tommy Cook of Port Tobacco, MD, Bobby Cook of Welcome, MD, Margaret Goosetree of California, MD, Sandy Thomas (Larry) of Hollywood, MD, Wayne Cook (Jen) of California, MD, Ann Evans of Lexington Park, MD, Joe Cook (Julie) of Mechanicsville, MD, and Ray Cook (Mai) of Callaway, MD; her grandchildren, Julia and Ethan Coleman; and many extended family and friends. In addition to her parents she is also preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Cook.

Family will receive friends for Mary's Life Celebration on Monday, December 9, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with prayers recited at 7:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 22800 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will be followed at Charles Memorial Gardens, 26325 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Joy, Ryan Evans, Corey Cook, Jason Thomas, PJ Joy and Tyler Wathen. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Hammett, Kevin Evans, Ayden Wathen and Ethan Coleman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Life Enrichment, 25995 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.