BRANDEIGH ELISE MACKENZIE RUSSELL

Wasilla resident Brandeigh Elise MacKenzie Russell, 2, died Nov. 1, 2003, at Children's Hospital in Dallas, Texas, as a result of drowning.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today at 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. There will be a visitation at noon prior to the service. Fr. Kaspar will officiate. Pallbearers will be her father Lloyd Russell, Dustin Proctor, Kail Vanderpool and Kurtis Horning.

Brandeigh was born Dec. 11, 2000, in Palmer.

Brandeigh loved playing with her twin sisters, going on nature walks, watching her movies and "snuggling" with her mom and dad.

Her family wrote, "I never thought I'd see an angel on Earth, but a soul so sweet and innocent couldn't have been any less. Brandeigh was always willing to help. She always knew when something was wrong and just how to make it better. If not by a sweet 'I whuv you' then by a hug or a kiss. I suppose even angels must go home eventually."

She was preceded in death by her brothers Daniel Zapata and Jason Heiser.

Brandeigh is survived by her father Lloyd Russell, her mother Diane Irving and significant other Dustin Proctor; brothers Stefan Harford and Kelsey Brame; sisters Lindsay Horning, Payton and Amelia Russell; grandmothers Anneliese Irving, Esther "Nana" Haire and Bonnie Kempen; grandfathers Haywood Irving and Robert Russell; aunts Brandy Proctor, Janice Irving, Penney Russell, Candy, Jennifer Irving, Krystina Haire and Juanita Haire; uncles Haywood Irving III, Tom Russell and Leonard Hall; other family members Andrea Martinez, Lynda Martinez, Rich Martinez, Angelika Irving, Manuela and Janett Culberson, "Daddy" Kail Vanderpool, Melonie Bowen, Rachel MacDonald, Joseph Vanderpool, Billy Heiser, Kurtis Horning, Tandra Horning, Moriah McVay, Desiree Sorrow, Nycole Sorrow, Mark Sorrow, Brandon Tovas, Christopher Tovas, Dawn Jones, Jay and Peggy Daws, Dixie Proctor, Bonnie and Adrien Arenose, Charlie Williams and Matt Christenson.

The family wishes to thank the Garland, Texas, fire department and police department, Baylor Hospital and Dallas Children's Hospital.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.