PORTLAND – Thelma Edith Russell Small Kennedy, 94, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, after a brief illness. Born June 1, 1915, in Newcastle, New Brunswick, her father was Alan Russell and her mother, Annie Copp. After graduating from Harkins Academy, she was employed by Frasier Lumber Co., where she supported her family during the Great Depression. At age 22, Thelma moved to Bangor, where in 1941 she met and married Gerald Turner Small and moved with him to Portland. Her only son, Richard was born in 1944. From 1945 to 1950, Thelma held administrative positions with Portland Gas Co. and B.D. Stearns, Inc. From 1950 to 1959, she was administrator-manager for Mill Company Gardens, a 96-unit housing development located on Margaret Street, South Portland. In 1960 the family moved to Coolidge Avenue, South Portland, where she lived until 1996. After Gerald’s passing she married the Rev. Dana Forrest Kennedy of Westport, Conn., in 1996 and lived with him in Milbridge until 2007 when at age 92, after divorcing Mr. Kennedy, moved back to South Portland where she lived with her son, Richard, for a brief time. Throughout her life, Thelma was loved by her neighbors and known for her kindness to everyone she met. She often gave to those who had far less than she did. She was a lifelong member of Order of the Eastern Star. Thelma will be greatly missed by her son, Richard and his significant other, Lisa Stevens Stuart; her only granddaughter, Julianne Hurd and her husband, Christopher, of Holliston, Mass.; a great-granddaughter, Allison; and great-grandson, Jack. Until her passing, Thelma was especially close to her niece, Donna Beals of Topsham, who spent many hours with her during her last few years of her life. She will also be greatly missed by her brother-in-law, Dr. Lawrence Small and his wife, Elfie, of Billings, Mont.; as well as other nieces and nephews, including Donald Russell and wife, Barbara, of Topsham, Norman Russell and wife, Marie, of Florida, Barbara Whitewater of Tulsa, Okla., and Janice Thomas of New Hampshire; and former daughters-in-law, Carmela Palanda of South Portland and Bernadine Walsh of Natick, Mass. The family expresses a very special thanks to her care-givers at Seaside Nursing and Rehabilitation, Portland, for their ongoing support and loving care. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. May 1 at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge, where she will lay beside her loving husband, Gerald Small. The family suggests donations may be made in Thelma’s memory to Spirit Fund, Seaside Nursing and Rehabilitation, 850 Baxter Blvd., Portland, ME 04103. Family and friends may offer their condolences to the Kennedy family by visiting www.bragdonkelley.com.
THELMA EDITH RUSSELL SMALL KENNEDY
