Maxine. Grandma

Misc Notes of my Life:

• I was Born in Riley, Alberta
• I don't know what year I was born. At age 13 or 14, my father asked me what aged I wanted to be. Always wanting to be more mature, I immediately said 14. But he made me reconsider, that as I aged, I may want to be younger. We settled on Feb 19, 1931
• As a Child, my favorite activity was Skipping rope.
• My dad was quiet and thoughtful.
• In the 1940s, my Step mother & father ran a Corner store. On Knight St. @ East 24th. It is now a Dry Cleaners + De Dutch Restaurant. They sold Penny candy.
• In the 1940s, I lived at 2172 West 7th St.
• In the 1940s, I went to Kitsilano Secondary School. I did not graduate.
• In 1953, I Met Ed at "Mac & Mac". I was Selling fridges. Edward was selling flooring. He first talked to me at bowling alley.
• 1954, Sep 21 Rick was born. I was 23
• 1957, Aug 22 Linda was born. I was 26
• In 1953 The Drinking age was set to 21. The Drinking age wasn't lowered to 19 until 1970.
• Up until 1954, women and men could not drink together, so Beer parlours had to have a Wall between men and women, and separate entrances
.
• I used to drive a 1960s Chevy. There is a picture of an identical one I spotted in Cuba decades later (above).
• My Favorite TV Show: Ed Sullivan.
• In 1996, Ed Bought Adam a rude "Making Bacon" T-shirt from Columbia (Picture Above)
• From 1954-1960 I lived in 4850 Culloden. $8000. Ed was so shocked to get actually get approved for the mortgage. The house is now worth $1.6M
• Accomplishments:Surviving. A Wonderful family. Bowling: Lots of prizes, such as a 13" TV.
• Memories: Calling Adam Crooked pants Withers
• Traditions:Making Shortbread. Meatballs at Christmas Time.
• Health:I beat Breast cancer (twice). I currently have Lung cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (C.O.P.D.)
• Accidents:When I was 5, I got a large Gash on my left leg from a sharp tin wall. I still have a scar today.
• Unique Skills:Made her own bathing suits and fancy clothes.
• Keepsakes:I have Records and other memorabilia, etc stored in Linda's Crawlspace
• My Funeral:At First Memorial in Victoria. Same as Ricks.
• Mistakes:Dad Left on bus (story below)
• Memorable Birthdays: My 70th at Med Grill. Everyone was in Attendance. My 70th at Montana's when you put Moose Antlers on my Head
• Vacations:Hawaii, Panama, Cuba, Alaska, Columbia, Seattle, San Francisco, Calgary, Barkerville
• My Remains:Ed's Ashes as currently at First Memorial in North Vancouver. I may want to have mine buried with his, or his moved to Victoria.
• Regrets:I had my first Cigarette at Kitsilano Beach at age 14, and I fell off log backwards. I Regret not quitting smoking sooner.
• Hardship:Growing up, We had a Tin bathtub, and only used it every two weeks.
• Highschool:Kitsilano Secondary, Founded 1917.
• Weddings: Family Rick, Lindas, Erins, Brads, and Darlanas.
• Scary:We were Robbed on our Honeymoon! (story below)
• Homes:1954-1960: House 4850 Culloden in Vancouver. 1960-1978: House in West Vancouver. 1973-2015: Lioncrest Condo at 1745 Esquimalt Ave.
• My Advice and words to Live by:
  • Don't hold grudges.
  • The only thing constant is change.
  • Take the good with the bad.
  • Don't panic
  • Everything will turn out fine
• I remember Teaching Adam + Darlana how to Bake cookies and casseroles.
• Adam eating mashed potatoes.
• Ed would walk along the Seawall everyday, one day he met Stephen @ Diminion Securities and began investing. Stephen still manages our account 40 years later.
• Ed saw a movie star light two cigarettes and give one to girl. He tried to emulate him many times, and Failed.

Missing Pics:

• Darlana: 1973- Lioncrest Door
• Linda: Her Wedding Pics
• Maxine's Condo Friends
• Mothers Day with Kathy Little
• Easter Cakes
• Valentines Day
• West Van House
• Her+ Grandpa crammed in Adam's convertible

Make-Ahead Whipped Potatoes :

• 5 lbs potatoes
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 Cup butter
• 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup Milk
• Boil + Drain Potatoes
• Thoroughly! combine at low speed
• Beat in Enough Milk with Low speed electric Beaters.
• Cover in fridge over night
• Remove 90 mins before heating.
• If necessary, Microwave.
• 10-15 mins in Oven @ 325°F
• Makes two big pots. One just for Adam :)

My Facebook Post:

• My Grandma Maxine died today at 4:24pm with all our family at her side.
• She made Christmas special, each and every year.
• She called me "Crooked Pants Withers". (I exclusively wore sweatpant until age 12).
• I stole her candy in progessively sneaky ways.
• Later in life, we had long talks, and I collected a long series of pictures, notes, and stories.
• My cousins and I kept a steady flow of her favorite--Coors Light Beer.
• She lived a long, full life, to become a mother of 2, Grandparent of 6, and Great Grandparent of 8.
• Her + my Grandpa's Song was Frank Sinitra's- My Way.

Questions looking for answers:

• Can you find the article telling the story of your Honeymoon Robbery?
• What is her Special onion recipe??
• Details about her life before Ed?
• Her First wedding details?
• What was the name of the Corner store On Knight St?
• How do you pronouce "Culloden"? (CULL-Oh-Den)??
• What was the address of the 1960-1978: House in West Vancouver?
• Joan: Can we at the ending line from dad's dugouts? Something about "grandma cheering from the stands, adam ummpiring, lucy+tessa running the bases, rick coaching, joan filming"?

Mayfair Tower Climb:

• In 1969, Ed and Bob Swail traveled to Victoria to coach Rick + Digby's baseball team.
• But at midnight, when the coaches, went to check on the boys in their hotel room., they found all but one missing.
• It turned out had snuck out, and climbed Mayfair clock tower.
• Only one boy they left behind, was reading he bible.
• You can't make this stuff up!
• **Question: Ask Digby if he was involved**

Proud Moment. War Rations:

• Most people followed the rules.
• Most people used far less than they were alloted. As showing a nearly-empty booklet showed you weren't helping end the war, and sharing in the scarafise.
• People made due with less.
• No one cheated.
• No one purchased black market items.

I am looking for details on the stories of:

• Story of Linda & Rick celebrating Wedding and ate the cake.
• Ed + Maxine in Reno
• Maxine Put up with Ed's behaviour: Once, on drive home in the snow, they were stuck in traffic, and Ed peed in the snow on Georgia St.
• Maxine never complained about Ed very patient
• Maxine's Dad Frank Crowe Atkinson was missing 2 fingers.

Pets in my Life:

• (1960s) Tawny (Cocker Spaniel)
• (1965 - 1977) Poppins- Black+White Cat.
• (1968 - 1970) Chi-Chi (Pekenese). Got run over. Rick ran a red light turning into Vets office. No ticket.
• (1971 - 1979) Cody (Pekenese)
• (1989 - 2008) Spunky (Orange Tabby)
• (1993 - 1999) Tug (Golden Retriever, Blue Healer, Border Collie)
• (1995 - 2004) Monte (Golden Retriever)
• (2004 - 2008) Maggie (Bernese Mountain Dog)
• (2005 - 2012) Murphy (Bernese Mountain Dog)
• (2009 - 2011) Morgan (Bernese Mountain Dog)
• (2012 - Today) Marshall (Golden Retriever)
• (2013 - 2016) Merlin (Bernese Mountain Dog)
• (???? - (????) Koda
• (???? - (????) Lola
• (2016 - Today) Meadow (Bernese Mountain Dog)
• (2010- Today) Bosco (Border Collie Mix)

Notes:

• Her Last pack of cigarettes: Sept 1989
• Grandma did not graduate high school.
• First car: 1957 Chevy, pale green.
• What is special about grandmas ring again?
• Festive themed parties in Birch Bay
• Being lifeguard, even though she couldn't swim.
• Calling from the trailer patio to get out of the pool.
• *Air quotes* Gambling on the "Horse racing" on a shuffleboard court
• Being the speed-cop of the trailer park.
• infamous late-night Christmas Eve parties. However, these parties stopped abruptly at the birth of her second grandchild, Darlana.
• Her Closest Friends: Louise (Died of Cancer at age 60). Shirley (Died in 2016) Gil & Barbara, Sam & Connie
• Grandmas is 74 days younger than the Empire State Building.
• Grandmas is 34 days older than William Shatner.
• She might have made it look TOO easy though, as several of us grand-kids decided to try it out that whole parenting thing.
• She supported us ALL in our ever-changing fads & interests: Biking. Golfing, Surfing, Raquet Ball, Squash, Hamsters.
• With her 5pm Coors light.
• A Very good cross border shopper
• Frank Crowe Atkinson. Born Jan 02 1890. Died June 1974. Recieved his B.A. from Acadian University.

Darlana Eulogy:

• Grandma and Grandpa were all about tradition and routine.
• Each Christmas they would take the ferry over to Victoria, their car packed with gifts for the 6 grandchildren.
• Starting when I was 5, Grandma would give me a stuffed animal every Christmas Eve.
• When I was a teenager and started to complain that I couldn't buy long enough girls pyjama pants, Grandma replaced the yearly stuffy with her yearly homemade pj pants in fun prints she thought a teenage girl would like.
• When I moved to Vancouver in my late teens for college (when Grandpa was still alive), Grandpa would pick me up at my house in North Van, and drive me to their apartment on Esquimalt Avenue each Tuesday.
• When I arrived, we'd watch the news, eat dinner at the table and then return to the TV room to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.
• Grandma carefully planned the vegetarian meals for me by cutting out recipes from magazines.
• Just before Grandpa would drive me home, Grandma would stuff a couple of bags worth of food for me: leftovers of the vegetarian meals she and Grandpa would never eat if it weren't for me, enough desert for me AND my roommates, along with extra food to stock my fridge until next Tuesday.
• It was a routine that we all looked forward to, and I was sad to break when I moved away to Nova Scotia, and then abroad.
• Grandma and I continued to write letters and emails back and forth though, and I've enjoyed re-reading them recently.
• Grandma was also a wonderful card sender, always making sure she'd get to the mail box early enough to make sure the birthday cards would arrive exactly on time.
• One thing she did to make me smile was adorn each envelope with fun stickers.
• I found some of her unused stickers in her drawer a couple weeks ago, and my girls have enjoyed adorning themselves with googly-eyed sea creatures.
• When I returned to Vancouver in my mid-twenties (after Grandpa had passed away), Grandma and I restarted a visiting routine, but this time, our roles were somewhat reversed, and I was helping Grandma stock her fridge.
• I would drive her to the grocery store, or to the pharmacy, mall, or wherever she wanted to go.
• She would test out more vegetarian meals on me and I enjoyed hearing her share about her daily and past life. She shared her cooking tricks and her sewing tips.
• Grandma used to make a lot of clothes for herself, Auntie Linda and my dad Rick.
• About 10 years ago, she gave me this dress, which she originally made for herself, happy to see how things come back into style.
• We would also enjoy getting together with my mother-in-law Pat, for meals out downtown.
• It was special to see their relationship continue even after my husband Greg and I moved to Victoria.
• Once Grandma moved over to Victoria in 2015, our visits changed once again, as I was now a mother to baby Lucy and soon Tessa.
• Grandma would prepare for our visits just the same ever, often with small gifts of socks, headbands or cheesy crackers my girls would only got at G.G's.
• We enjoyed sharing meals downstairs in the pub, Sunday brunches, and seeing the amazing decor for each occasion that Grandma would insist we come over to witness.
• Grandma enjoyed hosting us at her Berwick residence for the yearly Easter Egg hunt in the back garden.
• It made for a wonderful routine we all looked forward to, and I'm sad it's come to an end.

Erin Eulogy:

• I admired and will remember so many things about Grandma.
• She cared so much about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
• Even though I live in Ontario and don't make it home very often, every Christmas and birthday all 4 of my kids knew there would be a card coming from GG in the mail, picked out just for them.
• My youngest, Reuben, who is three, spent weeks sleeping with his birthday card under his pillow this summer, because GG had very wisely picked out a card with dinosaurs on it, and had even put stickers on the envelope!
• The stickers on the birthday cards were always the best part.
• Also in Reuben's bed is a large stuffed dog that she sent out just for him when he was born.
• She told me that grandpa had given it to her long ago, and it had been in their trailer in birch bay when I was little.
• My kids named it Edward after grandpa.
• When I was 7, grandma and grandpa gave me a very special Christmas present, my dollhouse.
• I saw the pictures and heard the stories afterwards of grandpa building and painting it and gluing on each shingle, while grandma found wallpaper and furniture and sewed tiny pillows and curtains.
• For several Christmases after that, grandma would quietly give me a box filled with all the latest dollhouse miniatures that she had collected over the previous year, tiny fruit bowls, miniature dogs and hand stitched bedding, and I would tell her all about my latest round of dollhouse furniture rearranging.
• Last year my parents were able to ship the dollhouse out to me in Ontario for my oldest daughter's Christmas.
• Quite often I find both my girls playing with it together, filling it with new miniatures and furniture and a whole new set of memories.
• I'm so very glad that grandma and grandpa took the time to make me that gift and that grandma was able to see it passed on to another generation.
• Grandma was a wonderfully thoughtful, kind, and generous person.
• When we visited her this past year, she couldn't wait to show off the kids, talk to them about them about school and their friends, and sneak them each some M&M's from her little glass bowl on the coffee table, as she had once done with me years ago.
• I'm so thankful that my kids had the chance to know her and to spend time with her this past summer, and I know that they will treasure their memories of her just like I will.

Eulogy

The pics on the right will show up as I address each talking point.

I CAPITALIZE certain words, to help me with emphasizing emotion while speaking.

Early Life:(120s)

• Maxine Withers, my Grandma, was born in Riley, Alberta in 1931.
• In 1947, as a tall attractive 16-year-old, she was offered a modelling contract in New York, but her step mother wouldn't allow her to go.

• In 1953, she met Edward at "Mac & Mac" furniture store in Vancouver.
• She was selling fridges, and Ed was selling flooring.
• But he eventually summoned the courage to speak to her at bowling alley.

• Ed parents were VERY strict! They didn't even approve of young ladies wearing nail polish!
• All went beautifully, and they married soon after on June 25, 1953.
• She became a mother to Rick at age 23, and Linda and age 26.

• In 1954 she + Ed bought a house on Culloden in Vancouver.
• Ed was so shocked to actually get approved for the mortgage, as they felt they had no chance of being approved for a whopping $8000.
• For those wondering, the house is NOW worth $1.6M.
• In 1960 they moved to West Vancouver where they built a beautiful new house on Westmount Rd.

• In the 1970s she worked as a Rep for Hallmark, stocking greeting cards at Park Royal Shopping Center. At stores such Woodwards, the Bay, and Sears.
• She made $3/hour, and THAT was good money.
• In 1973, they bought their Lioncrest Condo on Esquimalt Ave, West Vancouver.
• She said she'd live NO higher then the 4th floor. Because at the time, that was as highest the fire department's ladder could reach.

• In their later years, she and Ed enjoyed retirement everywhere from Hawaii,

• to Seattle, Alaska, San Francisco, Calgary, Barkerville, PEI, Panama, Cuba, and Columbia to name a few.

Ed: (45s)

• Ed was careful to invest wisely, in order to insure Maxine was well taken care of.

• He was so proud that the Veterans would look after Maxine for the rest of her life.
• After Ed passed away in 2006, Maxine remained SO-strong on her own, and BRAVELY moved to Victoria in 2015 to be closer to family and to be near her son, Rick.

• She was a familiar companion and a WARM comfort to Rick at his care home, the Heights, and grieved with us all at his passing 2017.

• She mourned the loss of BOTH her husband Ed, and son Rick, along with all of us.

Raising Kids: (20s)

• Grandma raised us right.

• Tapping our wee-hands as we stole too-many candies from the candy jar.
• She straightening the sweatpants of "CROOKED-Pants Withers" *point*.

• She and Ed raised 2 kids,

• 6 grandchildren,

• and ever-expanding ranks of 8 great grandchildren!

• All have been taught to be respectful, and are genetically pre-disposed to enjoy math. Haha.

Baby Adam Binder (20s):

• When I was a baby, the first time my Dad, Rick dropped me off to be looked after at Grandma's Birch Bay trailer, he gave her a MASSIVE binder of notes about baby care.

• Things like Nap AND DIAPER schedule, Food preferences, phone numbers, songs, bedtime routine etc.
• Grandma FIRMLY refused the binder, reminding dad that SHE had raised HIM just fine :)

Left on Bus (25):

• Grandma was beyond-excellent raising children, but not without a memorable exception:
• Rick would remind us today of his earliest memory: being accidentally left on the bus at age 3.
• He PROUDLY jumped off at the next bus stop on busy Kingsway Ave in Vancouver.
• To reunite with his Mom, who was chasing after the bus and pushing his newborn baby sister Linda in a stroller.

Advice: (30)

• Grandma Maxine grew up in hard times, sharing a simple tin bathtub with her entire family. They managed to bathe ONLY once every two weeks.
• Her and Ed, taught me excellent work ethics, money management, and be appreciative for what you have!

• To this day, I think of them whenever I consider wasting food, buying something frivolous, or I my elbows even TOUCH the kitchen table.
• In their own ways, they guided our growth to be successful, loving, well-rounded adults.

Smoking (55):

• At age 14, Grandma tried her FIRST cigarette at Kitsilano Beach. She told me, it was SO awful that she fell backwards off a log she was sitting on.
• But Smoking was Ubiquitous in the 1940s, and peer pressure, advertising, and low-cost American cigarettes kept her smoking for 44 more years.
• One Day, in 1989, she and grandpa quit smoking COLD-turkey using Laser Therapy.
• They went straight to the Legion Hall, and to the absolute AMAZEMENT of Linda + Gord NEVER smoked again.
• In her final months, she would often hold her LAST pack of cigarettes from 30 thirty years earlier, while breathing through her oxygen.
• Grandma would want me to share this one teachable lesson with you all:
To reflect upon our bad habits, and consider making changes, sooner rather than later.

Honeymoon Robbery (90):

• Grandma and Grandpa's relationship was not without EXCITEMENT and danger, they were ROBBED on their Honeymoon!
• In 1953, both in their early 20s, they went out celebrate their wedding vows at a bar in Seattle.

• She was dressed beautifully, wearing a Corsage when they were approached by a pair of men (a Piano player and his partner in crime).
• Ed felt the two men "seemed like such fine chaps", so that when they invited them for a car ride to Lake Washington, they agreed.
• But when they got out of the car to look at the lake, suddenly *Whack Whack*
• Ed was hit over the head twice with a Black jack.
• The theives stole $100 cash, and his Black and silver ring.
• The newlyweds escaped, and RAN into the nearest house to call the police.
• Ed went to the hospital for stitches, and the scar on his forehead NEVER fully disappeared.
• They had only been married a few hours!

• It turns out, the two men, were a team who preyed on couples from out of town.
• The Seattle Police considered it SUCH a serious crime, they even came up to Vancouver to interview them.
• One Day, the Partners Girlfriend showed up on their doorstep BEGGING them not to press charges.
• The Partner later received 10 years in prison.

• Some would call that a bad omen, but Ed + Maxine lasted 53 years together, until his death in 2006.
• Ed later replaced the ring, which I am wearing today *points*.

Baseball (40):

• Last year, Grandma came to dedicate Ricks baseball dugouts, and take pictures for the newspaper.
• Afterwards, we reflected on the perfect family baseball Legacy:
  • Lucy throwing the ball around with Bosco,
  • Tessa running the bases with her dad Greg,
  • Adam Umpiring while eating a hotdog,
  • Darlana teaching and coaching the next generation of strong Leaders,
  • Joan enjoying being a Nana, filming, and narrating the play-by-play,
  • Memories of Rick and Ed voices shouting batting advice from the dugouts,
  • While Maxine continues to cheer silently, and keep score.
• We really ARE a baseball family!

Mother in Law (30):

1990s- Ed Maxine.%20 Birch Bay Trailer
• Joan would frequently brag to her colleagues about having the best mother in law EVER!
• Retelling stories of her in-laws showing up often to assist our family.
• Ed came with gardening sheers and work gloves. Maxine would come with potatoes peeler, measuring cups.
• And they'd spend the whole weekend cooking up special requests, gardening, building fences, and spoiling us.
• We NEVER heard Maxine complaining about ANYTHING until she got stuck with the enormous "seven-ton" oxygen tank.

Pet (20):

• They enjoyed a lifetime of love from their furry-family as well.
• *breathe* Tawny, Poppins, Chi-Chi, Cody, Spunky, Tug, Kona, Kobe, Monte, Maggie, Murphy, Morgan, Marshall, Merlin, Meadow, and Bosco. Phew!
• A donation to the Victoria SPCA has been planned, to commemorate them with a kennel.

Technology (10):

• We were proud to see her embracing the ever-changing technology
• From Programming Speed dial for her Daily phone calls to Linda, to following the younger generations on Facebook.

Fun (40):

• Grandma always shared in the fun,
• Letting her grandchildren put the heavy Moose Antlers on her head on her 70th birthday at Montana's restaurant.
• That definately wasn't her restaurant of choice!.

• She was always a part of the team, cheering from the stands, like for the BC Lions.

• Spoiling us rotten when Mom + Dad would leave us in Birch Bay--Grandma's Trailer was like Summer Camp!!
• Picture this, 5-year-old me, riding my bike around her trailer park with obnoxious Horn honking incessantly.
• I can't think of a better example of infinite patience.

• When moving to Victoria, she made sure to find a place that served Hotdogs, with a PUB in the basement.

Xmas (40):

• They made Magical Christmases! We were all spoiled.
• Even to the detriment of Grandpa's poor-car's Suspension.

• They drove all over town, filling stockings, and searching the 6 oh-so-special Chocolate letters: A, 1 B, Three D's, and an E.

• Thanks to Grandma, I'm 37. And I don't think I've ever bought a pair of socks.

• I think our Christmases are best summarized by this "Better or Worse" Comic Strip:

• One of the Joys of Christmas is Remembering The joys of Christmases past!
• We will always remember how special Grandma + Grandpa made Christmas.

Supportive:(70)

• Maxine and Ed were very special and influential to many, at times even considered honorary parents.
• She and Ed maintained long-term relationships with Digby, Ken, Randy Jordan, Kathy, Marge, and Mary Ellen.


• They Celebrated Birthdays, Halloween, Graduations, Swim meets, Baseball tournaments, PACE Musical Performances, Births, and many Weddings.





• She was our Family photographer, BUT prefered to be behind the camera.

• Never forgetting a Birthday card, with money CLEARLY-assigned for my changing desires.

• Candy, Beer, Hamburgers, Screws+Nails for my house, Gasoline, Baseballs, and Dog Food.
• Maxine always enjoyed West Vancouver and used city transit to visit new friends, such as Pat McCalib.

• We enjoyed her Cookies, Shortbread, Mashed Potatoes, Meatballs, Lasagnas, and severed-finger Cookies.

• She was a Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Auntie, Grandma, Great Grandma, Mother-in-law, and friend.

• She will be missed greatly.

Closing (45):

• She Filled her trunk with presents
• We Filled her homes with art

• She Filled our tummys with food

• We Filled her Fridge with Knick-nacks

• She Brought the family together

• We Filled our hearts with Love
• She filled our minds with advice
• We will miss her always.
• I'd like to end today with a quote from Hallmark that we received from Maxine:

• I'll never stop wishing the world for you.
• I will never stop worrying, carrying, or trying to be a soft place to land in difficult times.
• I'll never stop seeing, believing, or trusting in the possibilities for you...
• And I'll never stop being proud of what a wonderful family you all are
• She and Grandpa-Ed truly "Did it their Way"

Pics not used in Slideshow yet: