Obituary of Mildred Louise Russell

Mildred Louise (Millie) Russell, age 100 1/2, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed peacefully at home in her sleep as she always prayed it would be.  

Millie was born on February 6, 1923 to John and Viola (Ford) Valiton in Athol, MA.  

She only completed the 8th grade, yet she was wiser and more knowledgeable than anyone we ever knew.  

She met the love of her life, Warren (Sonny) Russell at the age of 14 through family friends and they married just two years later. 

She lived through the Great Depression and was a faithful wife, loving sister, aunt, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

During World War II while her husband was serving in The Pacific with the US Navy Seabees, she became one of those women known as "Rosie the Riveter" working in a factory that made tablet armchairs for the US Army and bomb boxes that were so big, she had to stand inside them to weld them together. When her sweetheart returned home after the war, they built a house in Winchendon, MA and lived there with their two daughters until moving to Monrovia, CA in 1957. While living in Monrovia, Millie served her community through Emblem Club the Ladies Auxillary to the Elks Club and the American Legion Auxillary, Duarte Unit 830, of which she was a lifetime member until her passing. 

Millie was an Upholstery Seamstress for Marge Carson, Inc for 35 years before retiring in 1985 and moving to Bedford, PA helping to raise 3 of her grandchildren, then moving to Colorado Springs in 1998. She was an avid reader who enjoyed Big Band music, road trips, camping, supporting her family in all their sporting and musical endeavors over the years and watching her beloved Denver Broncos play. Her crocheted blankets were made for every member of her family with love in every stitch and they will serve as a treasured reminder of that love for the rest of our lives.   

Millie is preceded by her parents; her husband; and two infant great-grandchildren, Madison Taracatac and Wilson Gaddie. 

Surviving her are her 90 year old brother, Bill (Connie) Valiton; her daughters, Nancy Gaddie and Carol Mock; eight grandchildren, Christina Gaddie, Gail Collins (Dan), Russell Gaddie (Jessica), Sherry Haley (Robert), Ann Weber (Mark), Anthony Taracatac (Chris), Kyle Taracatac, and Nathan Mock.  

In addition to these, Millie was blessed with 16 more great-grandchildren, Cassandra, Cecilia, Zachary, Aaron, Christopher, Alex, Russell Junior, Matthew, Jerry, Kyndall, Chloe, Morgan, Kaylee, Bella, Christian, and Sydney. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.

Millie's philosophy of life was to work hard, love your family, and always look for the good in people. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman of faith, spreading kindness and sunshine wherever she went and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In accordance with her instructions, there will be no services. 

She will be cremated and her ashes sent to CA where they will be buried next to her husband and parents.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, online at pikespeakhospice.org or by mail at 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St, Colorado Springs CO 80906                           

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