Maxine Tourtillotte, a lifelong resident of Boothbay Harbor, died peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 18.

Maxine was born on March 4 1923, the only child of Earle and Myra Carleton. She graduated from Boothbay Harbor High school and went one year to secretarial school and then went to work for Sample’s Shipyard. She spent the next 45 years of her life working for the shipyard that changed hands once during her career at the yard.

In 1941 she married John Tourtillotte. She immediately watched him go to war. She lived through being told he was missing in action, then he was a POW and finally his return home from war. When John returned home from World War II they started a family. She and John raised two boys Jack ( John Jr.) and Earle. While raising Jack and Earle they purchased a camp on Rangeley Lake. The family spent many, many happy summers at the camp. When John died, Maxine continued to stay summers in Rangeley. She would often have many of her friends come and visit her at the lake. Rangeley always held a very special place in her heart for the remainder of her life.

John died in 1987. Maxine, after his passing, created a new life for herself. She worked several summers on the desk at Fisherman’s Wharf. She also spent many hours volunteering at St. Andrews thrift store and at St. Andrews Village. She became very active in the United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor. She served on many of the church boards and worked the church suppers and fairs.

One of the great passions of her life was the local Y. She would use the therapy pool three to five days a week and when not in the pool would attend exercise classes. She credited the therapy pool with enabling her to live an active life. She would tell anyone who would listen how much good the Y exercise programs had done for her. Maxine, at the age of 90, served as the chairperson of the Y fund drive. She was extremely proud of raising more money as the chairperson than anyone before her.

In 2016 the local Rotary Club honored Maxine with their Lifetime Service Award. The award was a complete surprise to her and something she cherished till her passing.

Maxine is survived by her sons, John and his wife Susan and their two children, Carrie and Katie, and Earle and his wife Maggie and their two children, Magen and Meredith, and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on March 3 at 10 a.m. in the United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Maxine's name to the United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor, 81 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 or the Boothbay Region Y, P.O. Box 500, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com