Judy Russ is honoring her late husband, Dan Russ, through one of the world’s most beloved holiday traditions — the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Five years after Dan passed away at the age of 32, Judy decided to make the couple’s shared dream come true: bringing the towering 75-foot Norway spruce from their home in East Greenbush, New York, to the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
On Nov. 8, the massive tree was transported from the Russ family’s property to Rockefeller Center, where it will shine as this year’s official Christmas tree.
“As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to have been 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, if not the world’s, Christmas tree.”
Her 7-year-old son, Liam, added with excitement, “I’m excited that the whole world can see it.”
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How Their Family Tree Became a National Symbol
The idea took root after Judy and Liam visited the iconic Rockefeller Center tree last year. Seeing it sparked memories of the enormous spruce growing in their own yard — a tree planted by Dan’s great-grandparents more than 75 years ago.
Inspired, Judy reached out to a family friend whose relative worked with Rockefeller Center. Before long, she received a call from Erik Pauze, the center’s head gardener, who confirmed that the Russ family’s spruce had been chosen for 2025.
“I think I just hallucinated,” Judy recalled with a laugh. “We needed to go back because there’s no way this is real, right?”
That same tree — once a playground for little Liam — will soon be adorned with 50,000 twinkling lights and topped with the dazzling Swarovski star.
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A Heartfelt Dedication
The grand tree arrived at Rockefeller Center on the morning of Nov. 8, and Judy and Liam plan to attend the lighting ceremony on Dec. 3.
“Well, I cry at home in my living room when the tree is lit, so I’m probably going to be inconsolable that day,” Judy admitted. “But it’s going to be great.”
She added that every light on the tree will shine in memory of Dan:
“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.”
