SOUTH PARIS — Phemie Jane (Ross) Russell, 102 , formerly of Norway, died Jan. 2, at Market Square Health Care Center, after a period of declining health, where she had been a resident for the past three years.

She was born July 21, 1909, in North Paris, the daughter of John Alexander and Alice Morse Ross and was the second youngest of nine siblings. She attended schools in North Paris and graduated from West Paris High School in 1927.

She was the widow of Andrew Llewellyn Russell “Russie,” whom she married on Dec. 24, 1930. Mr. Russell died November 1989.

Mrs. Russell worked at O.K. Clifford Co. and Ripley and Fletcher, both in South Paris. In the 1940s, they bought W. Ripley Ice Delivery Business and renamed it Russell’s Ice Co. and stayed in business until refrigeration became common in the household. In 1957, the Russell’s purchased McAllister’s doughnut business and moved it to their home on Paris Hill Road, South Paris.

It was at that time that Mrs. Russell went to work for Norway National Bank and in 1973, she became a trust officer of the bank, retiring in 1984 from Canal Bank, which is now known as Key Bank.

Phemie lived in the area for 90 years, living a short period of time in Auburn and Quincy, Mass.

In 1964, they moved to the Lake Pennesseewassee home that was built on the property that once stood the Russell Ice House. The ice house held the ice that was harvested from the lake. She later became known as the “LADY OF THE LAKE” and would always say “I have the best view up the lake, what beautiful sunsets.”

Mrs. Russell was selectmen for the town of Norway, served on the town of Norway Budget Committee and served on Norway Library Committee. She helped organize the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Maine and was a member and a trust officer of Norway Historical Society, also volunteering at Stephen’s Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Russell enjoyed her 100th birthday celebration a few days prior to her birthday with a small gathering for family and friends at Norway Country Club. On the day of her birthday, Market Square Health Care Center held a party in her honor and served the 100 cupcakes that were provided by the staff and to end the day she was invited to the home of a friend for yet another celebration. As she said “Boy how lucky I am, I really enjoyed them all, I received many cards and even one from the President of the United States.” Since that time she has had birthday gatherings with family and friends at Market Square.

Phemie will long be remembered for “ no meal is complete without a sweet,” her baking, especially those awesome raspberry pies, her white chocolates, a good card game, her GWCL, her passion for trips to the supermarket, she genuinely enjoyed the company of her family and friends and being invited to lunch.

Phemie is survived by her granddaughter, Lori Ann Russell-Pelsue and her husband, Mark Stephen Pelsue and the loves of her life her great-grandchildren, Thayer Joseph and Taber Armstrong Russell-Pelsue, who referred to her as “Grandma Maine.” She also leaves her daughter-in-law, Cecilia M. (Pacheco) Russell, all of Dartmouth, Mass.

Mrs. Russell leaves several nieces, nephews and a circle of friends who were very thoughtful and kind to her throughout her long journey.

She was predeceased by her nine siblings, Alexander John, Reginald William, Ronald Benjamin, Lera Lola, Lydia Margaret Ross, Ida Mae Hadley, Jessie Catherine Weston and Lillian Naomi Curtis, all of Maine, Gladys L. Cummings of Vermont; and her only child, Lee Thomas Russell, who died Aug. 29, 2005 of Dartmouth, Mass.

 Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.