Obituary for Maxine Cray Willis
Ellsworth
Maxine Cray Willis, 73, died at her home on February 14, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. Maxine was born on June 13, 1949, in Searsmont to parents Grace Ella (Humason) and Lewis Earl Cray.
Maxine attended Richmond area schools but graduated from Wiscasset High School in 1967. In 1983, she was married to Arthur Richard Willis, until his death in 2011. Maxine worked for 25 years in banking, first at National Savings Bank in Albany, NY, then in Ellsworth, she worked for Peoples Heritage Savings Bank, where she was the first woman to be the Bank Manger. Later in life, she trained as a CNA, and served in that role for about 14 years. Maxine was involved in several organizations, including Friends of Ellsworth Public Library, and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 207, serving as their treasurer for a time. She was secretary and president of AFS and served as a host family for foreign exchange students. Family was important to Maxine; she loved them all, ten grandnieces and grandnephews called her Grandma Max. She enjoyed researching family ancestry and followed every lead. She enjoyed traveling and took several trips to Alaska for camping and salmon fishing. Max was proud that she was able to take her mom to Disney World. She also traveled to Switzerland, South Africa, Bahamas, Panama Canal Zone, and cruises to the Cayman Islands and Mexico.
Maxine is survived by her significant other, Alan Obenauf; sisters, Marie Stevens, and her husband Howard of Trenton, Shirley Leslie- Rhodes and husband Dan of Ellsworth, Naomi Robinson and husband David of Plant City, FL; brother Raymond Cray of Wiscasset and 8 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her spouse, Arthur Richard Willis; sister, Thelma Heeder; brothers David and Gerald Cray.
A calling hour will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 1pm at Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth, followed by a memorial service at 2pm officiated by Pastor David O. Robertson. The family invites you to enjoy light refreshments at Jordan-Fernald following the services.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Maxine’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Maxine Cray Willis, 73, died at her home on February 14, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. Maxine was born on June 13, 1949, in Searsmont to parents Grace Ella (Humason) and Lewis Earl Cray.
Maxine attended Richmond area schools but graduated from Wiscasset High School in 1967. In 1983, she was married to Arthur Richard Willis, until his death in 2011. Maxine worked for 25 years in banking, first at National Savings Bank in Albany, NY, then in Ellsworth, she worked for Peoples Heritage Savings Bank, where she was the first woman to be the Bank Manger. Later in life, she trained as a CNA, and served in that role for about 14 years. Maxine was involved in several organizations, including Friends of Ellsworth Public Library, and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 207, serving as their treasurer for a time. She was secretary and president of AFS and served as a host family for foreign exchange students. Family was important to Maxine; she loved them all, ten grandnieces and grandnephews called her Grandma Max. She enjoyed researching family ancestry and followed every lead. She enjoyed traveling and took several trips to Alaska for camping and salmon fishing. Max was proud that she was able to take her mom to Disney World. She also traveled to Switzerland, South Africa, Bahamas, Panama Canal Zone, and cruises to the Cayman Islands and Mexico.
Maxine is survived by her significant other, Alan Obenauf; sisters, Marie Stevens, and her husband Howard of Trenton, Shirley Leslie- Rhodes and husband Dan of Ellsworth, Naomi Robinson and husband David of Plant City, FL; brother Raymond Cray of Wiscasset and 8 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her spouse, Arthur Richard Willis; sister, Thelma Heeder; brothers David and Gerald Cray.
A calling hour will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 1pm at Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth, followed by a memorial service at 2pm officiated by Pastor David O. Robertson. The family invites you to enjoy light refreshments at Jordan-Fernald following the services.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Maxine’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.