Ellen Russell

Ellen was born on February 28, 1933, in Portland, Maine, to Donald Orion Butler and Blanche Rolfe Butler. Her younger sister, Judy, joined the family in 1937. Ellen had a happy childhood in Portland, especially summers spent on Peaks Island and Sebago Lake with her family.

At Deering High School, Ellen made friendships that would last late into her life. She was valedictorian of the Class of 1951, but excelling in academics was only one of her many strengths. Ellen also played basketball, field hockey, and cheered for the Rams..

Ellen went on to attend Simmons College in Boston, where she studied accounting. While there, Ellen agreed to a blind date with Theodore “Ted” Russell, a medical student at Tufts and fellow Mainer. The risk paid off. Ellen graduated from Simmons in 1955, and she and Ted were married in Portland on June 16, 1956.

Ellen worked at Arthur Andersen in Boston while Ted completed medical school, followed by a return to Portland for his internship at Maine General Hospital. In 1958, Ted’s military service took the couple to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as a medical officer and captain in the 101st Airborne. Ellen had many tales of their days in Kentucky and in December of 1959, their son Donald was born.

After Ted’s time in the service, the Russell family returned to Maine, eventually settling in Augusta, where Ted became the area’s only pediatrician for a period of time. Ellen put her accounting skills to work as his office manager and bookkeeper. She quickly found her place in Augusta through St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, bowling, and many close friendships.

Ellen was an avid fan of Cony baseball and football games. As a lifelong athlete and sports fan, Ellen took the games seriously and had great post- game reviews. She was also glued to her TV during the Maine State High school basketball tournaments and rarely missed the games.

With much of their family still in greater Portland, Ted and Ellen bought a small summer camp on Flying Point in Freeport in 1969. “Camp” quickly became a favorite gathering place and respite from their busy life in Augusta. Ellen spent her days tending the flower garden, mowing the lawn, and swimming at high tide, a daily ritual she continued well into her 80s. She especially loved the annual Camp gathering with her sister’s family, complete with Amato’s Italians and an abundance of cookies, pie, and ice cream. Ellen was thrilled that Camp remains a beloved place for the fourth generation of her family.

Ellen and Ted moved to Yarmouth in 1992. A consummate caregiver, Ellen was happiest when she could be useful, whether helping her parents, extended family, or her two grandchildren. She and Ted rarely missed an event, becoming familiar faces on the sidelines of Greely lacrosse and soccer games or in the audience at countless performances. She was devoted to her family and shared nearly 60 years of marriage with her beloved Teddy before he passed away in 2015.

Ellen was a spunky, independent Yankee with little patience for waste. She clipped coupons and loved a bargain. She claimed not to be much of a cook, but was a wonderful baker, keeping a freezer full of her famous chocolate chip cookies. She loved music and could occasionally be caught dancing around the house while she cleaned. Ellen kept impeccable books. Her taxes were so expertly prepared that, on more than one occasion, her accountant offered her a job.

As her needs changed, Ellen moved first to Falmouth House and later to Legacy Memory Care, where she became a happy member of the community. She was cared for with great kindness, dignity, and affection by the staff who came to know and love her.

Ellen is survived by her sister, Judith Nichipor of Westerly, Rhode Island; her sister-in-law, Greta Russell of Cumberland; her son, Donald, and his wife, Pamela, of Yarmouth; her granddaughter, Libby Aurigemma, and her husband, Sean, of South Portland; and her grandson, Ted Russell, and his wife, Kelly, of Stonington, Connecticut.

She adored her three great-grandchildren, Finley, Isla, and Bodie, and delighted in any news or visits from her many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Ted, Ellen was predeceased by her great-grandson, Gio Asa Aurigemma.

The Russell family is deeply grateful to the staff at Legacy and the caregivers from Compassus Hospice for the thoughtfulness, compassion, and love they showed Ellen and her family in her final days.

Ellen was an avid reader and a patron of her local library. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to:

Merrill Memorial Library

215 Main Street

Yarmouth, ME 04096

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to sign Ellen’s online guest book.