Josephine Alice Russell

Portland Press Herald
Portland, Maine
December 6, 2011

Josephine Alice Russell "Jo" Orfaly

PORTLAND \endash Josephine "Jo" Alice Russell Orfaly, 86, of Portland, died on Dec. 1, 2011 at The Cedars.

She was born in Biddeford, Maine on December 9, 1924, the only child of Floyd L. Russell and Eva May Johnson Russell. At the age of 10, she moved in with her grandmother and grandfather and her beloved Aunt Ruth and Uncle "Spud" Donald Johnson. She attended Kennebunk High School, graduating in 1942 as the salutatorian of her class.

On a $50 scholarship won upon graduation, she moved to Portland to attend Shaw's Business College in the fall of 1942. After completion of the secretarial school, her first job was as a secretary at the accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst. She was a valued employee of the firm, often joining the partners on offsite audits.

She met her future husband, Anthony Orfaly on a blind date. Josephine and "Tony" wed on September 27, 1953 and enjoyed 53 wonderful years of marriage until Tony's death in July of 2006. Josephine and Tony shared many interests and hobbies. They were avid bowlers and square dancers. Josephine was the consummate PTA mom, organizing, fundraising, and volunteering many hours to her daughters' schools. Together, they belonged to Cornerstone Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.

During their marriage, Josephine also worked at the Maine Center for the Blind, starting there as a secretary and working her way up to a senior leadership role in the organization. During her tenure, she opened her heart and her life to sponsor several residents of the center, becoming their advocate and friend. She made sure those under her wing had gifts for birthdays and holidays and the very best of care.

In 1981, Josephine became an "Avon lady" while caring for her ailing mother. This past summer, she celebrated her 30th anniversary as a top sales representative, achieving President's Club honors nearly every year. She was dedicated to her customers, many of them becoming close friends.

Josephine lived life to its fullest. She was engaged, active and spirited. Everyone who knew her respected her forthright nature and wonderful attitude. She also will be remembered for her green thumb,having beautiful arrays of plants on her sun porch that she tended lovingly, just as she cared for her family and friends.

Josephine is survived by her daughters, Laurie Orfaly Kazilionis of Portland, Maine and Mary Orfaly Stemm Eskew of Tampa, Florida. She also left and loved her four grandchildren, Danielle, Mark, and Dayna Kazilionis and Lauren Stemm, and sons-in-law, Stephen Kazilionis and Walter Eskew.

Visitation and an Eastern Star Ceremony will be held on Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, at 199 Woodford St., Portland, Maine.
A celebration of Josephine's life will be held at the North Deering Congregational Church, 1364 Washington Ave., Portland, Maine on Friday, December 9th at 2 p.m. with interment immediately following in Forest City Cemetery South Portland.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Josephine's guest book.

The family of Josephine Orfaly wish to thank the staff at The Cedars for the loving and compassionate care throughout Josephine's stay.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Josephine's memory to the North Deering Congregational Church 1364 Washington Avenue Portland, ME 04103

Josephine married Anthony Orfaly 27 September 1952 in Maine ⁹²⁹⁶.^,9297 (Anthony Orfaly was born 21 July 1919 in Aleppo, Syria,⁹²⁹⁶ died 10 July 2006 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine ^9296,9298 and was buried 15 July 2006 in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine at Forest City Cemetery ⁹²⁹⁶.)