ROCKPORT — Carolyn A. Russell, 78, passed away peacefully on Monday October 14, 2024 at the Sussman House.

Carolyn was born in Camden, Maine on February 18, 1946 to the late Carroll and Anna (Amsden) Dennison. Carolyn lived in Hope, graduating from Camden High School in 1966.

Over the years Carolyn worked as a waitress, a nurse, the Avon lady, a cashier at Walmart, in the cafeteria at Camden Hills Regional High School, and her final job at Goodwill. Many former students would come up to Carolyn while working at Walmart and Goodwill and ask her about the cafeteria, and she always appreciated that they would remember her.

Carolyn married Ronald Russell on May 9, 1969, and they lived together in different homes in Hope before finally moving into the house he helped build in the 1990s. After years of trying, Carolyn finally had her son, William, in 1986.

One of Carolyn’s biggest passions was photography, her house was filled with photos of family events and places she had visited. Carolyn always insisted on taking a photo of the family at all gatherings, saying that you never knew what was going to happen before the next visit.

Carolyn enjoyed traveling as well, her favorite trip being a vacation to Hawaii in 2015 that she often looked back on and talked about for years after. Carolyn was also known for being fiercely independent and never one to back down, including her fight against lung and mouth cancer which she fought until the end.

Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, Ronald in 2010.

She is survived by her son, William, of Hope, as well as her step-children Linda Seelye of Rockland, Phyllis Russell of Rockland, and Ronald Russell, Jr and his wife Karen of South Thomaston; as well as step grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to visit from Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Lung Association.