Aimee Susan Russell

Aimee Susan Hails Russell – 78 - Indianapolis, Indiana. In a backdrop of sparklers and a dazzling display of cascading firework lights, Aimee Susan Hails Russell, a most beautiful child of God, soared to the heavens early Saturday morning, July 5, 2025, surrounded in love from family. Aimee was born on July 7, 1946, in Berwyn, Illinois and grew up in Cicero, Illinois where she was active with the Calvary Methodist Church, Girl Scouts, and ballet and tap dancing. She attended J. Sterling Morton East High School, where she engaged daily with Modern Dance, receiving a varsity letter for her participation with the Dance Team’s performances and was involved with Job’s Daughters International and the Senior Honor Society. 

Following high school, Aimee attended Morton Junior College for one year before enrolling in nursing school at the Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, where she graduated Valedictorian of her 1967 class of 112 women. While in nursing school she was on the Judiciary Committee and received the A. Watson Memorial Armor Award for outstanding performance in patient care, scholastic achievement, and citizenship. Throughout her career she worked in numerous hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana, with her time at Women’s Hospital in Indianapolis being one of her most favorite. Aimee loved being a nurse and centered her efforts around the compassionate care of her patients and a quality care experience for all who engaged with her. In addition to nursing, Aimee enjoyed time outdoors, especially in the Indiana Dunes and by the waters of Northern Michigan. She was an outstanding cook and entertainer with numerous requests for her famous rolls, cookies, caramels, and peanut brittle. 

Aimee further enjoyed learning different languages (Spanish and French) and created great beauty in the world through her calligraphy writing. Aimee’s deep Christian faith served as her compass with dedicated years of service as a minister’s wife, a Sunday School Teacher, a Deacon and as a member of numerous Presbyterian Women’s Associations. While living in Northwest Indiana, Aimee was active with Rotary Anns and P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization). In her later years of life, she enjoyed volunteering at the church food pantry and thrift store and especially enjoyed the learning and fellowship of her weekly women’s bible study group at the Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis. Despite years of challenges with mental and other chronic illness, and most recently pancreatic cancer, she lived her life with hope, great courage, perseverance and exquisite grace. She was most proud of her daughters and grandchildren and extended her deep love, strength, and compassion to all who knew her. 

She is survived by her two loving daughters and sons-in-law: Rebecca Lynn Russell Thompson (Mark) of New Glarus, WI and Laura Spriggs Thompson (Niels) of Indianapolis, IN; and five grandchildren: Noah James Thompson of Austin, TX, Jonah Michael Thompson (Natalie Baker) of Mason, MI, Abraham Jeremiah Thompson of Minneapolis, MN, Annabella Mae Spriggs Thompson of Indianapolis, IN, and Hazel Kathryn Thompson of Indianapolis, IN. Other family include The Reverend James Patterson Russell and Judith Gulliver Russell of Northville, MI. Aimee is preceded in death by her parents: Stanley Wilbur Hails Sr. and Peggy Fern (Hooser) Hails; her brothers and sister-in-law: Stephen Tilden Hails, Stanley Woodburn Hails Jr., and Doris Vlasek-Hails; and her son-in-law Stephen Patrick Spriggs II. A celebration of Aimee’s glorious life will be held Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11:30am at the Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis Milner Chapel with a lunch reception following at the church (7700 N Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260). 

For those interested in honoring Aimee’s passion for Christian study, tax-deductible donations can be made to “Second Presbyterian Church Women@Second – Aimee Russell”, to be directed towards fellowship activities for the women’s bible study group that Aimee so enjoyed. Donations may be made online at https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/ncs-1291. In the donation drop down box, select “Memorial Gifts” and enter “Aimee Russell” for the in memory of field. Gifts may also be sent by mail to Second Presbyterian Church, Women@Second - Aimee Russell, 7700 N Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260.

Ms. Hails Russell’s family is very grateful for the support of friends, the community, and for the wonderful care given to Aimee by many medical professionals over the years. As her favorite hymn was “In the Garden” by C. Austin Miles, we know that she is dancing in God’s magnificent garden each day.