Maxine Adelaide Meyers died peacefully in her home in Lyman, WA Friday, October 18, 2002. She was 84 years of age. She was born in Bellingham, Washington on July 30, 1918, the only child of Avis May Eastman and Frederick Kohler. Her mother died in the great influenza epidemic of 1918, and her young father adopted her out to close family friends, Lucille and Henry Winter who raised her as Maxine Winter. She lived in Blaine until age 5, when the family moved to Bellingham.
Maxine attended school in Bellingham and proved to have prodigious academic talents.
She won a national essay competition for primary school children of any age when she was only 9. She completed high school when she was 15 and then enrolled in Bellingham Business College. Following the business training, she was employed by Washington State and worked in Olympia.
Maxine married Charles Gordon ‘Bud’ Meyers in Bellingham May 20, 1939, and the newlyweds established, what would be their lifelong residence, in Lyman. Two children were born of their union: Charles T. Meyers and Marilyn L. Meyers.
Bud Meyers was a Skagit River fishing guide and she worked hours each day to help her husband in preparations for the fishing trips. In addition, she provided for a warm and caring atmosphere in the family home.
Maxine was an avid reader and had an abiding interest in history and the arts. She loved things of beauty and took delight in her flower gardens and in collecting prints and music. She loved singing and had an excellent voice in her youth.
She was appointed Postmaster of the Lyman Post Office in 1967, and she served in that job for 15 years. She loved the small community by the river and its people and worked to preserve its history.
Maxine was a long standing member of Chapter One of the Washington Territorial Daughters and enjoyed their meetings and developed many friendships among the members.
She loved children in the family as well as children in general. Christmas was a magic time for her and she liked to see delight in children. She contributed to a long list of charities that aided and fed children throughout the world and she opposed war and supported humanitarian and environmental causes.
Maxine was a devoted and loving wife and gave care and companionship to her ailing husband during his declining years so he was able to remain in his home. She and Bud celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in 2001, shortly before his death. She was also preceded in death by her beloved daughter Marilyn L. Mersereau.
She leaves behind: her son, Charles T. Meyers. Grandchildren: Lisa Instasi, Charles G. Meyers, Tedrik T. Meyers, Melanie Losse and Scott Losse. Great-grandchildren: Dallas Mersereau, Samuel Instasi, Sean Instasi, Patrick Instasi, Janie Meyers, and Erich Meyers.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Maxine’s life on Saturday November 2, at 1:00 p.m., at the Lyman Town Hall.
The family would suggest that any memorials be made to one’s own charity.
Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. You are invited to sign our online guestbook and share your remembrances of Maxine at www.lemleychapel.com.