Maxine Laverne (Pye) Wood

1941-2026

Maxine (“Max”) was the youngest and last surviving child of Laura Ann and William Elijah Pye. She leaves behind her five children: Bernardine, Yvonne, Anne, Basil and Daphne, her son-in-law Breen, and her grandson Ian Michael. She also leaves behind her cherished and spoiled cats Puddles, Smudge, Will and Grace, and many close friends.

Maxine loved life. She loved being alive. But life was not always easy, and sometimes it was incredibly hard, and this was true for much of her early, married life. Watching her navigate and overcome hurdles and challenges was tough, but through her successes we learned to never give up. And that no matter how dark a day might seem, there will be better days ahead.

Her favourite decade was by far the 80s. She loved the music, she loved the movies (we have worn out VHS tapes of family favourites), she loved technology. She loved the energy of a house filled with teenagers and their friends. She took night courses in photography and Basic programming. She stubbornly finished her GED (completing an education she left too soon in the 50s) and then enrolled at NSCC for post-secondary, hilariously becoming Anne Louise’s classmate. From her midlife adventures and accomplishments, we learned that it’s never too late to start over.

The best years of her life were spent with her companion, Melvin Ryan, who sadly predeceased her. They travelled around the province when they were still younger, they visited family, there were kitchen parties filled with music and laughter. This was the life and happiness Maxine always deserved, and it gives us great comfort to remember it. As they got older, they were there for each other every day, through car troubles, house troubles, and health issues. And that, she showed us, is what love is. Not something you fall into, it is something you share and grow over time.

The decade since Mel’s passing was spent in the predictable and comforting routines of morning coffee, blue jays and squirrels to feed outside the kitchen window, early dinners with Daphne, phone calls with Vern and evening television with purring cats. The summers came and went; her favourite hydrangea bloomed and grew. The winters got harder, walking got harder. In her heart she was still so young, it was painful to watch her body betray and rob her of more happy years.

On January 19th, after a brief illness, Maxine left her broken body behind and reunited with the many people that she loved and lost in this life but especially her own mom, who we know welcomed her home with open arms. We were not ready to say goodbye. We will miss her terribly until we can see her again.

Cremation has taken place; there will be no service per her wishes.  

Words of comfort can be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com