Rose (Ireland) Russell

Rose, (Ireland), Russell passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 at the Gosnell House in Scarborough, with her family at her side. She was born to Wilfred C. and Janie (Stewart) Ireland on Nov. 8, 1926 in Portland. She was raised in Portland and educated in the Portland schools. After World War II, Rose met her future husband, Harry Norman Russell, soon after his return from military service. They soon fell in love and decided to get married. In Jan. of 1946 they eloped to Rocky Mount North Carolina. They returned to Portland on Beacon Street in the Woodfords area to start their family, and here they remained until 1958, only leaving to accommodate a growing family. They then moved to the Green Acres area of Scarborough where Rose and Harry raised their four sons. They enjoyed all Scarborough had to offer for over 50 years, moving again only to accommodate Roseâ€™s declining health. She and Harry moved in 2006 to Birchwoodâ€™s at Canco Road, where her husband Harry still resides. Rose was a homemaker throughout most of her life, and when asked, of all her accomplishments, what made her the most proud, she would immediately say, her four â€œboysâ€. She was their loving and most devoted supporter in all phases of their lives, attending nearly all their activities, especially their sporting events. When her sons went to school, she worked part time at Porteous Mitchell and Braun, Jordan Marsh and later at Gordonâ€™s Card & gift Shop. In earlier years, Rose was the lead singer on the original Dave Astor Variety Show, which aired â€œliveâ€ every Saturday night. She also sang in numerous Minstrel shows, and performed with many Big Bands of that era, singing both in Portland and also out on the Pier at Old Orchard Beach. Rose recorded two records in the 1950â€™s before giving up her career for her family duties. When she joined The First Congregational Church of Scarborough, she returned to her love for singing by joining the choir, and for nearly 40 years she sang on Sunday mornings, also performing together with her sisters, Evelyn and Mildred, at many weddings over the years. Rose remained active volunteering her time on various committees. She enjoyed her frequent visits at the Kaler Vaill Retirement Home, where she made sure the residents received flowers for their special occasions, picking them from her husbandâ€™s beautiful flower beds. Rose enjoyed countless family gatherings at Sebago Lake, and up to the â€œfarmâ€ in Buxton, always taking time to send a beautifully hand written note expressing her love and appreciation for a wonderful time. Rose also enjoyed many shopping adventures with her sister and best friend Millie. Always athletic, Rose loved the thrill of competition. In the 60â€™s she tried her hand at Candlepin bowling and soon became a top notch bowler, winning the Womenâ€™s Singles State Championship among her five various other State Championships. Rose set a World Record for ten strings by a woman and was featured in Sports Illustrated Magazine. Rose also appeared several times over the years on the Saturday Morning Maine Candlepin Bowling Show, where she not only bowled but helped with scoring. Her most loved sport came later in life when she took up the game of golf. She met wonderful friends becoming a long time member of Gorham Country Club. She competed in the Southern Maine Womenâ€™s Golf Association and played as often as possible with her four sons and her daughter-in-law. Rose was predeceased by her parents, her brothers William, Chester, Earl and Edward Ireland, her sister Evelyn Russell, her sister-in-lawsâ€™, Sylvia McCord and Rose Ireland and brother-in-laws, Gordon Russell and Joe Martell, her niece Dawn McCord, nephews Gordon Russell, and Edward Ireland. Rose was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother and will be missed by her husband of 68 years, Harry, her four sons and their families, Norman and his wife Stephanie of Buxton, Stephen, and his wife Charleen of Standish, Jeffrey, and his companion Kim of Scarborough, Mark, and his wife Denise of Westbrook. Her ten Grandchildren, Kimberly, Andrew, Eric, Robert and Jeffrey II Russell, Heather Whitaker, Jennifer Dorsey, Rudy Wissley, Danielle and Derek Bouchard, and five great grandchildren, Audri, Rudy, Olivia, Trent, and Owen, Her sister, Mildred Martell of Portland and sister-in-law Phyllis Ireland of Buxton, her Brother-in-law Malcolm and his wife Lorraine Russell, of Port Charlotte, Florida, and her Brother-in-law, Marshall McCord Sacramento, California, and several nieces, nephews and friends. Her family, wholeheartedly give their thanks, to the staff at Birchwoods, where Rose lived for nearly 5 years, for their loving care and support. They also express deep gratitude to everyone at the Gosnell House for their wonderful care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roseâ€™s name can be made to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House at 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, Me 04074. Visiting hours are from 4 to 6 PM Monday at Blais Funeral Home in Westbrook with a Service following at 6PM. A Memorial ceremony and burial will take place at the family cemetery in Buxton later in the spring. On line condolences may be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com.

Rose (Ireland) Russell

November 8, 1926 - January 31, 2014

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