Lois Petroff Russell

Lois Jeanne (Gemler) Petroff Russell, age 94 of Erie passed away Friday, February 18, 2022 at UPMC Hamot. She was born February 2, 1928 in North East, PA the daughter of the late George “Mousie” and Beatrice (Christenson) Gemler.

Lois was a “groundhogs’ day” baby and a lifelong resident of Erie. She loved playing the PA Lottery and following the activities of her children and their families.

In her younger years she held various jobs, but what made her happy was taking road trips on her Indian motorcycle to New York, Ohio and St. Louis. Her children and close friends affectionally called her “Low Rider”.

Mom’s other love was her home on Plum Street, which coined her the name of “Mayor of Plum Street” as she lived there for 54 years. She knew everyone and they knew her. The area was watched over day and night by Lois.

She babysat many of the children from that area and watched all the neighborhood kids grow up and go on to have kids of their own.

Up until just a few years ago, a common site was seeing Lois in her yard and taking care of her beautiful flower garden. It was indeed spectacular and she took such pride in it.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Russell who died in 2007 and four siblings.

Lois is survived by her three children; Mike Petroff and his wife Tricia of Jacksonville, FL; Cathy Stephenson and her husband William of Erie, and Dixie Ann Horn and her husband Douglas of Erie. She is the grandmother of Matthew (Jeanne) Stephenson, Abby (Mike) Roach, Thomas Paluh and Justin (Lindsey) Paluh. She is further survived by 11 great-grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.

Friends are invited to call at the Quinn Funeral Home, West 9^th & Liberty St. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LECOM Health VNA, 2253 West Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16506.

Condolences can be sent to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com