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Widow Reveals the Emotional Reason She Gave Her Family’s Tree to Rockefeller Center
Judy Russ says her late husband, Dan Russ, always believed the giant spruce outside their home would one day make a perfect Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Now, that long-held dream is coming true with a deeply personal twist. Judy is honoring Dan, who passed away five years ago, by donating their 75-foot-tall Norway spruce.
“As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to be here for this moment,” Judy told NBC correspondent Joe Fryer on Today.
“We always talked about it being the Rockefeller Center tree. It’s so special that my family’s tree gets to be America’s—and maybe the world’s—Christmas tree.”
The couple’s 7-year-old son, Liam then added, “I’m excited that the whole world can see it.”
On November 8, the tree was transported from the Russ family home in East Greenbush, New York to the heart of Midtown Manhattan for the holidays.
So how did this dream come true? After taking Liam to see New York City’s iconic Christmas tree last year, Judy couldn’t stop thinking about the massive spruce at home, planted 75 years ago by Dan’s great-grandparents.
Inspired, she reached out to a family friend who had a relative working at Rockefeller Center.
Before long, Rockefeller Center’s head gardener, Erik Pauze, was informing them that the tree would soon be decorated with 50,000 lights and a Swarovski star for all of New York City to see.
Judy recalled her initial reaction, saying, “I think I just hallucinated, like, ‘We need to go back because there’s no way this is real, right?’”
Judy and Liam will attend the lighting ceremony together on December 3.
“Well, I cry at home in my living room when the tree is lit, so I’ll probably be inconsolable that day, but it’s going to be wonderful,” she said, dedicating each shining light on the tree to her late husband.
“Spread joy, spread cheer, love one another. Think of our family, think of my husband, think of us. We’re just happy to share it with everybody.”
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