Margaret M. Russell

SOUTH PORTLAND - Margaret M. Russell, 73, died on June 16, 2013, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Portland on August 15, 1939, the daughter of George P. and Annie B. (Mulkern) Houston. Margaret grew up in the Portland area, and graduated from Cathedral High School, the class of 1957. In 1960, she graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a RN for a few months before she married Donald O. Russell at Holy Cross Church on May 27, 1961. After the wedding, she worked for a little while before she and Don started their family. She then chose to stay home and raise her six children. Even though she had her hands full with her own children, she was also a mother to anyone who needed one; often sending her kids to school with more than one lunch for a classmate in need. She gave of herself freely, volunteering as a Den Mother when her boys were young, volunteering at the Precious Blood Monastery, and most recently at St. John the Evangelist Church in South Portland. When Margaret was able, she would not miss a day of swimming at the South Portland Swimming Pool, where she had made many friends and found great enjoyment. She was also an avid reader. Margaret was a devout Catholic, and a communicant at St. John the Evangelist Church. In addition to her parents, Margaret is predeceased by her son, Mark in 2005; and two sisters, Patricia Houston and Sister Regina Marie Houston, RSM. She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Donald; five children; Ann Russell of Portland, Richard Russell and wife Cynthia of Gorham, Stephen Russell of Portland, Jennifer Griffin and husband Kevin of Skillman, NJ, and Robert Russell and wife Becky of Windham; 13 grandchildren, Patrick and Aileen Russell of Westbrook, Brendan and Elizabeth Farley of Buxton, Jillian Farley of Scarborough, Colby and Chloe Russell of Gorham, Callie and Vanessa Russell of Gorham, Daniel and Sean Griffin of Skillman, NJ, and Alicia and Rianna Russell of Windham; great granddaughter Lily Emond; sisters Mary Bennett of Portland, and Elizabeth "Betty" Ryan and husband Paul of Walpole, MA; brother, George R. Houston and wife Mary of Portland; and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, June 19, from 4-7pm at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited on Thursday at 9:15am at the chapel followed by a 10am Mass of Christian Burial, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 671 Main St., South Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Margaret's honor to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, US Route 1, Suite #1, Scarborough, ME 04074.Online condolences may be expressed below.