Maxine E. Thompson, 83, of Friendship, passed away on Oct. 31 after a brief stay at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta. She was surrounded by her friends and family following a lengthy illness.
Born March 2, 1924 on Bremen Long Island, she was the daughter of Oren and Viola Prior McLain. Maxine was raised and schooled on the island.
On June 14, 1939, she married Nathan W. Thompson; they were married for 54 years. Together they lived year round on Cranberry Island, off the coast of Friendship, before building a house on the mainland. They enjoyed spending every summer on the island.
Maxine took great pride in her housework and raising her children and grandchildren. She was a hard worker and known for maintaining a meticulous home and yard. She loved cooking and baking for her family and friends. She was famous for her cream puffs and especially her yeast rolls. Her grandson remembers that she always made sure there was plenty of food when you arrived. Each Christmas she cooked her much anticipated fudge and fruitcake, which she mailed to family.
Maxine found much enjoyment during the spring and summer months in her flower gardens. Through the winter she kept busy knitting and crocheting. She made beautiful afghans and braided rugs as well as dishcloths and kitchen towels.
Maxine loved Alan Jackson. She loved listening to his music and watching him perform on TV. She was also able to see him live in concert twice. She was well versed with his complete family biography and always interested in the latest news article about him.
She enjoyed bird watching and kept many bird feeders. She was excited to see new types of birds arrive at her feeders, especially her cardinals.
Maxine had a very special group of friends she enjoyed spending time with. They liked to go shopping and dining out together. Her family remembers how she appreciated having such wonderful friends in her life.
She was the last surviving child of seven McLain siblings: Donald, Dennis, Dana, Elsie, Doug and Addie predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her husband, Nathan W. Thompson and a daughter, Rebecca H. Jones.
She is survived by a daughter, Barbara Thompson-Powell of Mooresville, N.C.; grandchildren, Mark Powell and wife Christine of Winston-Salem, N.C., Clarissa Gregory and husband Michael of Miami Beach, Fla., Melinda Powell of Hull, Mass., Lloyd J. Gray, Jr. and wife Kelli of Spruce Head, Lori Brann and husband Cliff of North Whitefield, and Nathan Jones of Portland; great-grandchildren, Liana Gregory of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Jonah Gregory of Seattle, Wash., Whitney Powell of Winston-Salem, N.C., Alicia Jackson and husband Daniel of Whitefield, and Russell Gray of Spruce Head; great-great-granddaughter, Alivia Jackson of Whitefield; and many nieces and nephews.
Following Maxine’s wishes, a graveside service will be held 11 a.m., Sat., Nov. 10 at Harbor Side Cemetery in Friendship. Immediately following the graveside service, Maxine’s family invites everyone to the Masonic Hall in Friendship for a reception to celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, Maxine requested that donations be made to Friendship Ambulance Auxiliary Foundation, P.O. Box 40, Friendship, ME 04547.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.
