Madelene Bunker Russ

Madelene Bunker Russ
CAPE ELIZABETH -- Madelene (Maddy) Bunker Russ died on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at Village Crossings, Cape Elizabeth, her home for the last six years. She died peacefully surrounded by her immediate family.
Into her 99th year, Maddy was known for her care for and interest in others, her elegant sense of style, her sparkling blue eyes and hearty laugh. One grandchild asked recently, 'I wonder how many times Nana laughed in her life?'
Born in Calais in October 1912 to a local physician/surgeon, Willard Hiram Bunker and nurse, Katherine (Kitty) Weeks Bunker, Maddy showed an early interest in care-giving. At age six, she accompanied her father by horse-drawn wagon on local house calls as well as on his Sunday rounds at Chipman Memorial Hospital in St. Stephens, New Brunswick, Canada.
Maddy attended the University of Maine at Orono, graduating with a degree in sociology. It was there that she began dating Robert (Bob) Russ which resulted in a seven-year courtship and eventually a 1940 marriage of 66 years, a love of a lifetime.
After graduation from the University of Maine, Maddy began nurses' training at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston where she received the New England Baptist Auxillary Award for most promising and outstanding pupil. She later worked at New England Deaconess Hospital, also in Boston.
Following a brief sojourn to Kansas City where Bob had accepted a job, the Russes returned east to start a family. As an at-home mother, Maddy served on many committees, including the Junior Guild of State Street Church, Portland, The Sweetsir Home's Board, The Cape Elizabeth School Board and for other organizations.
After raising her three sons, Maddy, recertified her nursing license and became the school nurse for the Cape Elizabeth School System where she worked for five years as health educator, friend confidante and counselor for the children and families of Cape Elizabeth. During this time, she served on a committee which studied the needs of exceptional children, a precursor to special education. Her findings and recommendations led to the creation of new school programs and state funding. She also established a variety of health programs
Madelene
Bunker Russ
including screening for incoming kindergarteners, the formation of school health policies for the system, and the establishment of a health education program emphasizing the importance of good health habits, attitudes and practices. For this work, she received the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation honor award 'with high praise for her dedication to the school nursing profession.'
At the age of 95, Maddy was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maine Cancer Foundation after surviving over 50 years after breast cancer and for founding the first Reach to Recovery Program, a volunteer organization for breast cancer survivors, in Maine.
Throughout their married life, Maddy and Bob and their family and friends enjoyed many summers in a rustic cottage at Cape Rosier, Harborside, where Maddy gardened, boated on Penobscot Bay in the 'Maddy B,' a wooden lobster-style boat which they purchased in their 60s and cruised on into their 80s.
Maddy was predeceased by her parents; husband, Robert C. Russ in 2006; and younger sister, Ruth Ellis in 2007. She is survived by her loving sister, Katherine Pew of Thornton Oaks; her three sons and their wives, Robert C. (Joan) Russ of Pittston, Joel B. (Carolyn) Russ of Walpole, Stephen W. (Judi) of Hallowell; grandchildren, Andrew (Angela) Russ of Damariscotta, Matthew (K.C.) Russ/Ford of Waterville, Abel Russ of Washington, D.C., Nathaniel Russ of Bangor and Alexie Russ of Portland; step- grandchild, Danny Aho; her great-grandchildren, Sam, Maddy (her namesake) and Nick Russ of Damariscotta; and step great-grandchildren, Mollie and Peter Hammond.
Maddy's life-long love of people and her dedication to providing care to all in need continued to be evident in her daily interactions with others. Her devotion to her life's passion is an inspiration to all fortunate enough to have known her.
The family extends their deep appreciation to all the staff at Village Crossings and to Beacon Hospice for their compassionate care over Maddy's final years and months.
A June memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland.