GLENBURN – Mary V. Russell, 82, wife of the late Cornelieus J. Russell III, passed away into the arms of the Lord Oct. 4, 2011, surrounded by her family at her home. She was born July 14, 1929, in Orono, daughter of Ralph and Pearl (Hodgeman) Virgie.
Mary lived in Orono most of her life and was head cheerleader for Orono High School when she graduated in 1947. She was also a member of Eastern Star Katahdin Chapter. Along with being remembered as a devoted mother, wife and friend to all, Mary was known for her gentle caring heart. She loved taking care of others, whether it was by feeding them, tending to them, or just going along with family and friends and making them laugh. Mary would get a chuckle out of her resemblance to Blanche from the popular TV series “The Golden Girls,” as she would often times be asked for her autograph. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She had a very special place in her heart for the Bridge Girls, special neighbors and her four-legged, furry granddogs, Daytona and Shelby. She also looked forward to the Fourth of July gatherings at the lake and absolutely loved her trips to Florida in the winter. She had very fond memories of being up to camp on Coldstream Pond during the summer years ago and seeking out annual lobster feed locations to spend with her family. Mary enjoyed life and everyone in her life and will be greatly missed by all whose hearts she so lovingly touched.
She is survived by her son, Robert Goodspeed and his wife, Victoria, of Greenbush; daughter, Carolyn and her husband, Bruce Farnsworth, of Orono; granddaughters, Cassandra and Stacy Goodspeed; great-grandson, Nikohlas; great-granddaughter, Emma; several nieces and nephews. Mary was the youngest of four children and was predeceased by her parents; her husband; and the “Virgie” girls, Eleanor Richardson, Ruth Burpee and Pauline Tozer.
Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, with Pastor Steven Smith, of United Methodist Church, Orono, officiating. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Mary in a special way may send gifts to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.
Mother, until we meet again, may God hold you in the
palm of his hand.