OXFORD — Margaret V. Russell, 104, of Oxford passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 16, at home with family by her side.

She was born Nov. 24, 1912, in West Virginia, the daughter of Jesse Barrows and Beatrice. On Aug. 4, 1935, she married the love of her life, Melvin D. Russell of Ohio; he passed away July 7, 2007, just 27 days shy of being married 72 years.

As a child, she spent some time in the Philippines with her parents because her parents were missionaries there. During World War II, she drove a bread truck. She worked a period of time for the U.S. Treasury, making money. She was a Sabbath school teacher when she went to Takoma Park Maryland Seventh-day Adventist Church. While living in Maryland, she was a member of the Maryland Fire Department Auxiliary. She was also a bookkeeper and received her notary public certification. She received her certified nursing assistant certification after moving to Maine in 1974 and worked at Ledgeview Living Center nursing home in West Paris until she retired.

She enjoyed playing Skip-Bo with her children as well as her grandchildren and planting her various flowers in the spring; she would go to Young’s Greenhouse and fill her vehicle with them.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Russell of Oxford, who was also her amazing caretaker until her death; son, Stanley Russell of Maryland; her grandchildren, Steve Russell and his wife, Ilene, Dwight Russell, Dan Russell, Deb Thatcher and husband, Bill, Tracy Hoekzema and husband, Dave, Theresa Edwards and husband, Al, Arlene Russell, Christopher Kerns, Christina Beaucage and husband, Jason, and Gretchen Poland and husband, Alex; and 23 great-grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her husband, Melvin D. Russell; son, Chester A. Russell; grandson, Chester Bryan Russell; and two brothers, Warren Barrows and Sumner Barrows.

She leaves behind a legacy of longevity and a deep love of and belief in Jesus.

Margaret V. Russell