Patricia Russell

RAYMOND — Patricia Russell, 66, died at Maine Medical Center in Portland on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, of a sudden illness.

Born Feb. 17, 1950, she lived in Winthrop until the age of 5, when she moved to Portland. She attended Portland schools and graduated in 1968 from Deering High School. After high school, she attended the University of Maine at Orono, graduating in 1972 with a B.A. in Math. She also was working for her brother in his variety store in Raymond Food Center while securing a teaching certificate and substituting in Auburn and Saco.

She taught nine years at Jordan Small School, until the closing of their seventh and eighth grade programs. Then, she taught seventh and eighth grade in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, while working for her brother in his flower business, “Emma’s Flowers.”

She returned home to start a family, and began teaching in the high school at Gray-New Gloucester, where she taught math.

Within the school and around her community, Patricia was active in encouraging education and personal growth. Through her heartfelt actions, she touched the lives of each person that she met.

She enjoyed the time with her children, teaching them to climb trees, dancing to old tunes, playing cards, taking camping trips to Eustis, water skiing, and going to Wells Beach for birthdays. She also treasured spending time with her many grandchildren, and seeing her granddaughter Serena being born.

Surviving are her daughter, Angela Russell, and her two grandchildren of Raymond; her son, Alexander Russell of Hartford, and grandson; four step-grandchildren; her nephew and two nieces.

She was predeceased by her brother, Stephen Barry Swift, in 1993; and her mother Estelle, and father Charles Swift, both in 1999.

Memorial services were held Jan. 21, 2017, at Gray-New Gloucester High School in the gym by the cafeteria. Condolences may be offered at: www.wilsonfhllc.com

Patricia requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to The Animal Refuge League, Westbrook, Maine.