Maxine Manchester

Maxine Manchester was an intelligent, dedicated woman who found great joy in learning, and even more joy in helping others learn. With a bright mind, a personable spirit and enthusiasm for teaching , Maxine touched many lives throughout her career. A loving wife and devoted mother, Maxine leaves behind many memories that will be cherished forever.

Maxine's story begins in the year 1917, as an age of great social and economic change was coming to a close in America, only to be replaced by a time of world wide conflict. In 1917, the nation had just formally declared war on Germany, and found itself in the midst of a conflict they called the Great War, which we now know as WWI. But for Lawrence and Thelma Smart, the year 1917 is memorable for a more happy event, as the two spent their time excitedly preparing their home in Columbus, Ohio for the birth of a new precious life. One cool winter day, on November 21, they welcomed their newest bundle of joy into their lives, a baby girl they named Maxine.

Maxine lived a happy childhood in Ohio, playing with her two younger brothers, John and Gene, and attending the Methodist church with her family. Maxine's father, Larry, supported the family by working as a bank examiner. As a young girl, Maxine fell in love with horses, and soon became involved in equestrian activities, riding and jumping horses into her college years. Maxine was a bright child, and after skipping third and fifth grade, and part of eighth, she was nicknamed Smarty Pants. But all her hard work payed off, and in the year 1932, Maxine proudly graduated from high school in Finlay, Ohio at the age of fifteen.

Right after graduation, Maxine's father was transferred, and he moved his family to Defiance, Ohio. Maxine moved along with her family, and began attending Defiance College. At Defiance, Maxine brought the same degree of intelligence and dedication that she had exhibited in high school to her studies. She worked hard to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Education, working summers at JC Penny to pay for school, and hoping to one day become a teacher. Aside from devoting time to her studies, Maxine also enjoyed participating on the college's debate team, and continuing to ride and jump horses.

Then, one fine day when Maxine was still just 15, she met a young man who she immediately knew would change her life. He was her next door neighbor, John, who was then 16 years old and a junior in high school. As the two got to know each other, Maxine became sure that she was born to fall in love with John. And fortunately, he felt the same way too. Later, John also attended Defiance College, where he, too, studied education.

While Maxine continued to date John, she graduated from college and received her first job as a teacher in the Defiance area in the fall of 1938. Though her age had never held her back during her time in college, in this first position she found that one of her students was actually older than her! After she had taught for three years, the principal of her school passed away, and Maxine assumed the position. She held this position until the end of the year, until John got a teaching job in Dayton, Ohio. While the two had never been formally engaged, they both knew they wanted to be together. Since John was to start teaching in September, and couldn't bear to leave Maxine behind, the two decided to tie the knot that summer, leaving Maxine and her mother two weeks to plan a church wedding. They did, and were married in 1941.

Right after the wedding, the newlyweds had to leave for Dayton, making a traditional honeymoon impossible. Instead, they took a weekend fishing trip later that fall, during which Maxine sat on the bank and watched John fish. After a year in Dayton, the young couple decided that they preferred the Defiance area, and moved back, allowing Maxine to resume her position as a principal. Then, in 1943, Maxine and John found themselves the happy parents to their first child, Danny. Maxine loved being a mother, but her life became difficult as John entered the U.S. Navy, and was stationed in the Philippines during WWII. She stayed in Ohio, teaching and lovingly caring for Danny, whose needs were great, having been born with Cerebral Palsy. She and John were both overjoyed when he returned home, and their lives returned to normal. Soon, they were blessed by the births of two more children, Jim in 1947 and Jane in 1952.

Maxine took several years off of work to raise her family, and then moved the family to Florida where she resumed teaching in 1956, first working in Naples, and then Fort Lauderdale High School. Maxine loved teaching, and was involved in the school system outside of just the classroom, coaching the debate team and the cheerleading squad and directing high school plays. She stayed in Fort Lauderdale for many years before retiring in 1979.

After retirement, Maxine enjoyed the time that she could spend on new pursuits, like knitting, doing needle point, ceramics, and playing with her toy poodle, Babbett. She and John also enjoyed canning together, and Maxine even published a cook book of her own. In 1999, they, along with their son Danny, moved to Holland, Michigan to be closer to their daughter Jane. Maxine died on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Oak Crest Manor of Holland.

With her brilliant mind, dedication to education and heart for students, Maxine was a wonderful educator who touched the lives of many. A devoted mother, wife, and friend, Maxine cherished the time she spent with her family, and loved being a grandmother. She created many wonderful memories throughout her lifetime that will continue to be cherished. She will be greatly missed.

Maxine was preceded in death by son Danny Manchester in 2002, and Husband of 68 years John Manchester in 2009; brothers: John Smart, and Gene Smart. Maxine is survived by her son, James D. Manchester of North Carolina, daughter Jane and Dan Meyers of Holland, three grandchildren Kelli Meyers, Chris Meyers, and Julia Manchester; several cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be 11AM on Wednesday, September 29, 2009 at The Northwood Chapel Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland, MI. Visitation will be the hour after the service from 12 to 1 PM. at The Northwood Chapel. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Holland. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Maxine’s online registry and to share a photo or memory