Bertha “Bert” Louise Maxim, 90, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023, at a Holden healthcare facility.
Bert grew up in the small town of Freedom, Maine on her parents, Fremont and Genevieve Downer’s, dairy farm. Bert was the oldest of eight children. She attended schools in Freedom and graduated from Freedom Academy. It was here that she met her husband of 68 years, Donald W. Maxim.
Donnie and Bertha lived at Maxim Farm, in Thorndike, for 66 years, where they raised potatoes and poultry. Bert helped Donnie with the farm and did his bookkeeping. Countless days were spent at the kitchen table counting the potato barrel tickets from the day’s harvest.
Bert was a great cook and loved to prepare meals for family and friends. Her houses were immaculate, with her loving to decorate. Bert enjoyed gardening, with her many flower gardens showing her love and care.
Bert was active in the Eastern Star and later with the ladies Shrine Club organization. Bert and Donnie so enjoyed the Shrine, with Bert always looking beautiful at their Shrine functions.
Bert and Donnie took their kids, Paula and Larry, on many vacations. Later in life , after the kids were grown, they took cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. They enjoyed spending winters at their home in Bradenton, FL.
Bert is survived by her daughter, Paula Maxim and husband Thomas Duarte of Veazie and Stonington. Her son, Larry Maxim of Blue Hill. Grandson Kevin Lewis of Brunswick. Grandson Aaron Lewis and wife, Courtney, of Thorndike, along with their children, Bert’s great-grandchildren, Dominic and Sadie. Ryan’s daughter, Summer, lives in Arizona. Her surviving siblings are Clayton Downer, Rodney Downer, Allen Downer, Carlene Bourgoin, and Norene Linscott.
Bert is predeceased by her husband, Donald, who passed away in March of 2023. Also predeceased was her grandson, Ryan Lewis, in February of 2023. Passing before Bert, were her siblings, Maxine Fowler and Milford Downer.
The family would also wish to express their appreciation to Marlene Walker of Holden, for the care Bert received in her five months here is Maine. Marlene opened her home to Bert, showing love and care. Marlene took Bert, who she called her “queen”, out to eat, rides for ice cream, to pedicures, and has a lovely deck where “B” could enjoy warm, sunny days this summer.
A Celebration of Bert’s life will be held from 1-3:00 PM, Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor. Family and friends are asked to join us after Bert’s Life Celebration at Season’s Restaurant at 3:30 PM for a social gathering. In lieu of flowers, gift’s in Bert’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for children, C/O Anah Shrine Center, 1404 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bertha Maxim, please visit our flower store.
Bert grew up in the small town of Freedom, Maine on her parents, Fremont and Genevieve Downer’s, dairy farm. Bert was the oldest of eight children. She attended schools in Freedom and graduated from Freedom Academy. It was here that she met her husband of 68 years, Donald W. Maxim.
Donnie and Bertha lived at Maxim Farm, in Thorndike, for 66 years, where they raised potatoes and poultry. Bert helped Donnie with the farm and did his bookkeeping. Countless days were spent at the kitchen table counting the potato barrel tickets from the day’s harvest.
Bert was a great cook and loved to prepare meals for family and friends. Her houses were immaculate, with her loving to decorate. Bert enjoyed gardening, with her many flower gardens showing her love and care.
Bert was active in the Eastern Star and later with the ladies Shrine Club organization. Bert and Donnie so enjoyed the Shrine, with Bert always looking beautiful at their Shrine functions.
Bert and Donnie took their kids, Paula and Larry, on many vacations. Later in life , after the kids were grown, they took cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. They enjoyed spending winters at their home in Bradenton, FL.
Bert is survived by her daughter, Paula Maxim and husband Thomas Duarte of Veazie and Stonington. Her son, Larry Maxim of Blue Hill. Grandson Kevin Lewis of Brunswick. Grandson Aaron Lewis and wife, Courtney, of Thorndike, along with their children, Bert’s great-grandchildren, Dominic and Sadie. Ryan’s daughter, Summer, lives in Arizona. Her surviving siblings are Clayton Downer, Rodney Downer, Allen Downer, Carlene Bourgoin, and Norene Linscott.
Bert is predeceased by her husband, Donald, who passed away in March of 2023. Also predeceased was her grandson, Ryan Lewis, in February of 2023. Passing before Bert, were her siblings, Maxine Fowler and Milford Downer.
The family would also wish to express their appreciation to Marlene Walker of Holden, for the care Bert received in her five months here is Maine. Marlene opened her home to Bert, showing love and care. Marlene took Bert, who she called her “queen”, out to eat, rides for ice cream, to pedicures, and has a lovely deck where “B” could enjoy warm, sunny days this summer.
A Celebration of Bert’s life will be held from 1-3:00 PM, Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor. Family and friends are asked to join us after Bert’s Life Celebration at Season’s Restaurant at 3:30 PM for a social gathering. In lieu of flowers, gift’s in Bert’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for children, C/O Anah Shrine Center, 1404 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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