SKOWHEGAN – Surrounded by family Phillis W. Russakoff peacefully passed away Monday, March 22, 2010, in Waterville. The second daughter of Morris and Esther (Paluba) Weiner, Phillis was born Aug. 1, 1930, in Boston, Mass. Her first brush with fame came at age 3 when her photo appeared on the Boston American’s front page after the fire department rescued her from being inadvertently locked in a bathroom for several hours. Phillis graduated Boston’s Jeremiah Burke High School at 16, completed business courses and went to work for Boston diamond merchant, David Morss. There she met future husband, Archie Russakoff, then on a buying trip for his Skowhegan jewelry store. They married in 1950 and settled in Skowhegan where Phillis became a homemaker and mother. Phillis was recognized in 1966 as an Outstanding Young Woman of America; she served as president of Skowhegan’s chapters of Semper Fidelis, Women’s Club and Woman’s Aid Society. She served on the boards of Kennebec Valley Mental Health, State Board of Psychological Examiners and Redington-Fairview General Hospital. Joining Archie in the jewelry business, Phillis was known for her discerning eye for quality and personalized attention to customers. A 52-year member of Order of the Eastern Star, Sunset Chapter, Phillis cherished this association above all. She took great pride in the quality of her installations and ritual work, served as secretary for 39 years, and rose to positions of state and national significance. Her Order of the Eastern Star family truly became her second family. Phillis was a dedimus justice and notary public, performing numerous wedding ceremonies in the area. She diligently served as ombudsman/patient advocate to residents of two area nursing homes. She will be remembered for her sense of style, gracious manners and beautiful presentation. Phillis was predeceased by husband, I. Arthur Russakoff. Surviving are daughter, Marjory Russakoff and husband, Phillips Lauriat, of Southwest Harbor; son, William Russakoff and wife, Linda Mace, of Cornville; son, Andrew Russakoff and wife, Donna, of Skowhegan; brother-in-law, Dr. Philip Russakoff and wife, Maxine, of Skowhegan; grandchildren, Jared Vestal, Elaine Lauriat, Leah and Amy Russakoff; sister, Lorraine and husband, Harry Robbins, of Stoughton, Mass.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, at Beth Israel Congregation, Waterville. A committal service for the family will be held afterward at an Auburn cemetery. A celebration of life will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at the Masonic Hall, Water Street, Skowhegan. Donations may be made to the Phillis W. Russakoff Education Scholarship, care of William S. Randall, trustee of Bloomfield Academy, 20 Patrick St., Skowhegan, ME 04976. Burial arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.
PHILLIS W. RUSSAKOFF
