Mary Maxine May lost her 10 day battle with Covid on November 30, 2020. She was able to see and visit with her family through Face Time before drifting off to sleep and waking up in heaven with her Lord and family who had gone on before her.
Maxine was born upstairs in Mrs. Ryan’s Hat Shop in Ismay, Montana on September 11, 1926. Her parents were Katherine Cummings Griffin and James Robert Griffin. She joined an older brother Jimmy and later Buford and Ona Lee would complete the family. They lived in the Knowlton area. Maxine loved her country life of milking at least seven cows and selling cream in Ismay for groceries, also gardening, cooking, raising chickens and cows. She was happy to ride Beauty or Diamond a mile and a half to the Foundation School with up to 17 students for eight years. For high school Maxine boarded out in Miles City with Gilmore’s, Peterson’s and Dr. Smith’s family. She worked for her board and room and got home weekends, weather and roads permitting. Graduation came early on May 4, 1944 for about 150 kids. WWII was on and many boys were already there. The students were needed to work in the beet fields. Jack and Maxine had been dating at dances and shows for a year and got married April 4, 1944 at the First Baptist Church in Miles City. Jack left two weeks later for Camp Roberts, CA. “A short marriage” Maxine said, but she got to join him part of the summer and then returned to Miles City and worked at F.W. Woolworth’s for the three years Jack was gone to Italy, France, England, Germany and Africa. Although she got letters every couple weeks, it was a very stressful time, when he couldn’t even tell her where he was.
After Jack returned, they lived in Miles City, Kinsey and later moved to Martin City, and the mountains. Jack worked for F K & L Sawmill, U.S. Forest Services and logging with his son John, who loved the mountains, hunting, snowmobiling and fishing. The older son, Jim returned to the plains, prairie and ranching. Maxine used her great cooking skills and cooked at local cafes like the Deer Lick, which still operates. Later she began her 25 year career working at U.S. Post Offices in Martin City, Columbia Falls, West Glacier and Hungry Horse. She cherished visiting with patrons everyday as well as keeping up with longtime friends, neighbors and family from all over. Their home had lots of company, card playing, wonderful food and visiting. Family was vital to Maxine. She kept up with her siblings, their families, plus her own sons and families. This grew to also include six grandkids and 15 great grandkids. Hobbies included: beautiful flower beds, gardens, canning, bird watching and sometimes waiting for spring to melt feet of snow and checking with Jim on crocuses and sweet peas.
Special thanks to Cottonwood Care and Friendship Villa for the past four years for excellent care. Also, thanks to Holy Rosary Hospital, nurses and Dr. Tun for these last couple of days. All is greatly appreciated.
Maxine is survived by a son Jim (Marilyn) May of Ismay, MT; daughter-in-law Jody (Jimmy) Lester of Martin City, MT; one sister Ona Lee Willson of Casper, WY; six grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, son John, infant daughter Judy Ann, and brothers: Jimmy Griffin and Buford Griffin.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A private family service will be held on Monday, December 7, 2020 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A video of the service will be available on Stevenson’s website. Interment will be held at a later date in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, Montana, following a memorial service in Coram at Canyon Community Church. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Canyon Community Church, PO Box 130144, 185 Coram School Lane, Coram, MT 59913 or a charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
Viewing Only (Family Not Present) 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday December 6, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Private Services
Monday December 7, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
Viewing Only (Family Not Present) 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday December 6, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Private Services
Monday December 7, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Dolores Meidinger Willson says
I was so sad to see that your Mom has passed away, Jim. My sincere sympathy to You, Marilyn, Ona Lee and the rest of your family. May you find comfort knowing our love and thoughts go you way.
Makenna Voiles, from Cottonwood says
I’m saddened to hear the passing of Maxine. I enjoyed caring for her a couple years ago. Jim & Marilyn my thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family. May she rest in peace. <3
Karl Drga says
May family,
Sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Karl & Ashli Drga
Gayle Muggli says
Our thoughts and prayers.
martha crandall says
My sympathy
Pat Herzog says
Jim , Marilyn and Family .. our deepest sympathy Jim in the loss of your mother..I enjoyed visiting with her at picnic’s or other get together’s…great lady 💕 Love and prayers to you and all your family 🙏❤
Barbara Beeler says
To the family of Maxine. She was one of the sweetest people I got the pleasure of assisting. She has the prettiest blue eyes. She was a very strong lady. I enjoyed helping her every morning. May she rest in peace. She will be missed by many.
Jim & Marj Anderson says
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Jim, Marilyn and Family,
So sorry for the loss of your mom and grandma. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless.
Jim and Annalise Willson says
Jim Marilyn May and Ona Lee Willson we are sorry to hear about Maxine- she can now rest in peace with her brothers and Jack and John now. We are thinking of you at this time
Prayers- Jim and Annalise Willson
Paula says
Thinking of you Jim and Marilyn! Keep your memories close. Paula Coate
Ted and Cathy Elgin says
Memories came flooding back of all the good times at Jack & Maxine’s house! I thought the world of your Mom. She was a great person and was always so good to me. Our sincere sympathy to all the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Norm and Gail Stevens says
Our deepest sympathies , our thoughts and prayers are with you
Dotti Green says
Jim, Marilyn, Ona Lee and families,
My deepest sympathy during this most difficult time. May the good memories bring you peace.
Tammy Pecha says
So sorry for your loss.You are in our thoughts and prayers.
J. Chris Kukowski says
Jim and Marilyn you are in my prayers, it’s never easy losing a loved one no matter how prepared we think we are. Your Mom had an infectious laugh and it was a joy to have her at Cottonwood. I miss seeing you two on a regular basis and catching up. This has been such an unprecedented year and I have been keeping to Cottonwood and my family, limiting contacts has been a struggle for me. I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and look forward ahead to days when we can gave a hug and catch up. Thinking of your mom fondly ~ Chris Jensen Kukowski
Glenda and Zig Flint says
I have so many wonderful memories of Maxine and the good times we all had together. We were blessed to have had such a nice, fun, and caring aunt. She always had a kind word and something delicious for us to eat. As an adult, I also got to enjoy her sense of humor and her spunk. Zig and I were so glad to get to spend time with her when we could. Sending our love, prayers, and sympathy to all of you. I wish we could have come for the service.
SheriAnn Ritter Scott says
I knew this awesome lady a short time, she was an awesome person and is missed.