Kyle Russell was a force of warmth, grit, creativity and an unwavering heart.
Kyle passed from this world in the early morning hours of Friday, February 13, 2026, surrounded by love, courage and extraordinary depth of human connection. With Buffy, David (Rip) and Sheila by her side, she peacefully took her last breaths. She battled a cancer so rare, so invasive and so relentlessly aggressive that it defied fairness itself.
Before many knew her as the soul behind a beloved café, Kyle made a courageous pivot that defined her life’s work. She stepped away from the law firm where she was working, drawn instead to the place she loved — Waterbury — determined to find her true niche. That search led her to a dream that would shape not only her future but an entire community.
On February 4, 1995, Kyle became the proud owner and operator of KC’s Bagel Café. For 30 years, KC’s was far more than a café. It was Kyle’s passion and creative canvas, her gathering place, her extended family. She poured herself into every detail — from the atmosphere she crafted to the people she nurtured. Together for the past 24 years, Kyle and her beloved partner, Buffy Garrand, worked side by side 24-7, building a business and a life. They cared deeply for their employees, leading with generosity, humor and heart.
Kyle’s unmistakable creative spirit shaped the café’s atmosphere and traditions, including the iconic holiday decorations she and Buffy lovingly created — especially the magical Christmas displays that became a cherished part of the community.
Thirty years to the day, Kyle and Buffy passed KC’s Bagel Café into the hands of a devoted employee, a transition that reflected Kyle’s loyalty, trust and belief in continuity.
From the day Kyle and Buffy met, they shared a dream — to build a life near water. In 2017, that dream came true in Grand Isle, Vt., where they transformed a summer camp into a beautiful three-season cottage, just a short walk from the shores of Lake Champlain. The sunsets, the breathtaking sunrises and the daily summer commutes became part of a life Kyle and Buffy cherished deeply — moments of beauty that made every mile worthwhile.
Kyle’s final chapter was not defined by cancer, but by love — love from dear friends, family, chosen family, caregivers, and a community that wrapped itself around Kyle and Buffy with meals, prayers, laughter, presence and compassion. Kyle was held every step of the way by Buffy, who honored a sacred promise made at the beginning of this journey: to never leave Kyle’s side. Through heartbreak, through exhaustion, through moments too heavy for language, Buffy remained strong. Hand in hand, breath by breath.
Kyle will be remembered for her boundless kindness, her creative brilliance, her resilience, and the extraordinary way she made people feel seen, welcomed and loved.
Her light endures in the lives she touched and the community she helped shape.
Kyle’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her partner of 24 years, Buffy Garrand; her children, Taylor Coleman, her husband, Liam, and their beautiful 6-month-old son, Bennett, the newest and brightest light of Kyle’s life; Ryan Garrand and partner Emmery Dunphy; by Kyle’s brother, David P. Russell II, his wife, Sheila, and their children, Luke and Becca; and by her sisters, Debra J. Russell; Kelly L. Russell and partner Jude Jacobson and Kelly’s daughter, Shannon Russell; and Niki K. Walker and her children, Samantha and Garrett; along with many beloved nieces and nephews. Much gratitude to Kyle’s best friend of 40 years, Shelly McCarthy, the “Grand Isle” family, extended family, friends and community.
Kyle was predeceased by her nephew, Joshua Douglas, and her parents, David Russell and Lorna (Shepard) Wheeler. A service to celebrate Kyle’s life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1 p.m., at the Waterbury Congregational Church on North Main Street in Waterbury, followed by a reception at the Reservoir on Main Street in Waterbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund, 8 No. Main St., Waterbury, VT 05676, or the Waterbury Area Food Shelf, 57 So. Main St., Waterbury VT 05676.