Maxine Tourtillotte, a lifelong resident of Boothbay Harbor, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Feb. 18.
Maxine was born on March 4 1923. She was the only child of Earle and Myra Carleton. She graduated from Boothbay Region High School and went one year to secretarial school and then went to work for Samples Shipyard. She spent the next 45 years of her life working for the shipyard that changed hands once during her career at the yard.
In 1941 she married John Tourtillotte. She immediately watched him go to war. She lived through being told he was missing in action, then he was a POW and finally his return home from war. When John returned home from WWII, they started a family. She and John raised two boys Jack (John Jr.) and Earle. While raising Jack and Earle they purchased a camp on Rangeley Lake. The family spent many, many happy summers at the camp. When John died, Maxine continued to stay summers in Rangeley. She would often have many of her friends come and visit her at the lake. Rangeley always held a very special place in her heart for the remainder of her life.
John passed away in 1987. Maxine after his passing created a new life for herself. She worked several summers on the desk at Fisherman’s Wharf. She also spent many hours volunteering at St. Andrews Thrift Store and at St. Andrews Village. She became very active in the United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor. She served on many of the church boards and worked the church suppers and fairs.
One of the great passions of her life was the local Y. She would use the therapy pool three to five days a week and when not in the pool would attend exercise classes. She credited the therapy pool with enabling her to live an active life. She would tell anyone who would listen, how much good the Y exercise programs had done for her. Maxine at the age of ninety served as the chairperson of the Y fund drive. She was extremely proud of raising more money as the Chairperson and then anyone before her.
In 2016 the local Rotary Club honored Maxine with their lifetime achievement award. The award was a complete surprise to her and something she cherished till her passing.
Maxine is survived by sons, John, wife Susan and children Carrie and Katie, and Earle, wife Maggie their children Magen and Meredith; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Sat., March 3 in the United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor, 81 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Maxine’s name to the United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor, 81 Townsend Ave., Boothbay, ME 04538; or Boothbay Region Y, P.O. Box 500, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
To extend online condolences please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements.