ORONO – Valerie Jean (Horr-Colby) Russell died March 10, 2005, in Orono after a brief illness. She was born March 30, 1948, the first child of the late Dorothy Jean (Soper-Horr) Abramson and the late Newell Golder Horr Jr. Valerie was married to William L. Colby and later to Paul E. Russell. She has two children, Heather Koreen (Russell) Spaulding and Justin Travis Russell and two stepchildren, Craig Russell and Linda (Russell) MacDonald. A working mother and provider, she was independent, creative and an adventuresome sales woman traveling in central and northern Maine. Valerie loved photography from an early age. Her photos of nature and the State of Maine were her gifts to the world. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2000, life changed and she adjusted. Mobility became a challenge as well as writing. Staying positive and learning to assist others were new successes. Children and their fresh perspective and views of the world captivated her. Never rich monetarily, Valerie discovered the wealth of unconditional love, intense imagination and humor. Unafraid to travel on to the next adventure and join her beloved cat “Fiddlehead”, she leaves behind her sisters, Vicki (Horr) McAllian of Alabama, Cheryl (Horr) Whitney of Colorado, Chris (Horr) Holley of Tennessee, and Carrie (Horr) Acitelli of Minnesota, along with their families. She also leaves behind her beloved cousin Cathy Smith-Conroy; grandchildren Jeffery and Patrick Spaulding; son-in-law Jason Spaulding; and other family members and many friends. A gathering of family and friends in remembrance of Valerie will be held 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2005, at Marsh Island Apartments, 345 Main St. in Old Town. Gestures of remembrance may be made in her name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Maine Chapter, P.O. Box 8730, Portland, ME 04104 or to a charity of your choice.
VALERIE JEAN RUSSELL
