W. Maxine McDowell, 88, of Petoskey, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2013, at McLaren Northern Michigan.
Maxine was born Dec. 13, 1924, in Petoskey, the daughter of Lloyd and Elizabeth (Shinn) Noel. She attended school at East Bliss Elementary and was a graduate of Petoskey High School, class of 1943.
On Oct. 7, 1944, she married John R. McDowell Jr. in Petoskey where the couple made their home.
During the Second World War, Wilma worked for the O.P.A. (Office of Price Administration), an arm of the federal government that was in charge of rationing and controlling prices. Toward the end of the war, Maxine worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Beginning in 1960 throughout the 1980s Maxine was employed with Petoskey Public Schools; in later years she also worked for the Women's Resource Center and the Friendship Center.
Maxine is survived by her daughters, Linda (Ed) Broman of Petoskey, Marie Clancy of Harbor Springs, Donna (Joaquin) Tuncap and Pamela Hibbler, of Petoskey, and John (Jill) McDowell of Indian River. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Maxine will be remembered by those who loved her as a compassionate wife, mother grandmother and friend. Most of all, she will be remembered as a woman who embraced her family with love.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and by her parents as well as sister, Minnie, and brothers, Gale and Thurman.
Her life will be celebrated during a funeral service at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey, with pastor Sherry McGuffin officiating. Interment will take place within Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home.