Marge Maxell Obituary (1909 - 2008)

FALMOUTH - Madge E. Maxell was born in Cherryfield on Aug. 1, 1909, and died Nov. 2, 2008, at her residence at Oceanview in Falmouth. She was the daughter of James and Mable Dorr Hart and graduated from Deering High School in 1926. On Aug. 1, 1932, the Rev. Alton E. Maxell and Madge were married in Bar Mills, where they began their ministry together throughout Maine which lasted 66 years. Augusta was their home during a 10-year pastorate at Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, and they lived there in retirement until Alton's death in 1998. Madge moved to the Oceanview Retirement Community in 2000, where she lived the remainder of her life, continuing to be a positive influence on her new friends. Through her prolific computer letter writing on her loon motif stationery, she kept in close touch with her many old friends in Maine and beyond. Madge was a very active pastor's wife in the churches her husband pastored. Covering a period of 23 years working on the state level, she was the co-organizer and the first president of the Minister's Wives Fellowship of Maine, president of the American Baptist Women of Maine, the first woman president of the American Baptist Churches of Maine and chairperson of the Committee of Fifteen, which surveyed and restructured the American Baptist Churches of Maine. For 11 years, Madge worked on the national level as executive committee member of American Baptist Churches USA; a member of the World Relief Committee, Standing Rules Committee, Board of International Ministries; and the Study Commission on Regulations, which restructured the American Baptist Churches USA. She also served as first vice president and program chairperson of American Baptist Women USA. Madge, herself, said, 'The state and national work has been over and above service. I believe, implicitly, that the work in the local church as pastor's wife, Bible teacher and devotional speaker is the most important contribution one could make to Alton's 66-year ministry.' Madge is best remembered for 'The Children's Minute' that she wrote and presented at the worship service in the churches Alton served. She had an unsurpassed intellect and interest in the world around her and an uncanny way with words, spoken and written. Madge is survived by several nieces and nephews. There will be a private committal service at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland. A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 43 Foreside Road, Route 88, Falmouth. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Penney Memorial U.B. Church, 35 Grove St., Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. www.khrfuneral homes.com