HOWIE

With heavy hearts, the family of Lorna “Maxine” Howie of Rimbey, Alberta announces her peaceful passing at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at the age of 75 years.

Maxine was born on March 7, 1946 in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. She was the second child born to Howard and Annie Ward, who had five children: Ron, Maxine, Linda, Sally, and Kathy. Maxine grew up on a farm south of Flaxcombe, Saskatchewan, obtaining her schooling in both the Flaxcombe and Marengo, Saskatchewan communities. She was united in marriage to Pat Howie on July 6, 1963, and together they had a son, Lyle, who passed away as an infant. Their daughter, Cheryl, was born on February 23, 1975, and over the years the family resided in Calgary and then in Hanna, Alberta. In 1979, Maxine and Cheryl moved to Youngstown, Alberta and lived with Maxine’s long-time companion Ken Marr. Maxine made life-long friendships with so many people in the community of Youngstown, creating many memories. Following Ken’s passing, Maxine and Cheryl moved to Red Deer in 1996 where Maxine worked at Cash Casino for a few years. She then moved to Medicine Hat where she retired with her long-time companion Harry Jorgenson. They spent many happy winters touring the southern United States, and enjoyed trips across the border to Algodones, Mexico, as well as to Las Vegas. Maxine was happy to bring along her best friend Edith on their travels for the winter one year, and she was thrilled with a special “all-sister’s holiday” to Las Vegas for her sister Sally’s 60th birthday. Upon Harry’s passing, Maxine then settled in Rimbey in 2006 to be closer to Cheryl who was getting married and starting her career in education. In 2009, Maxine and Cheryl moved into a house together in town, and Maxine was employed at GTI for ten years. She was well-known as the “Elvis fan,” always wearing an Elvis pin and proudly displaying the Elvis license plate on her car. She often spoke of her 55th birthday, when Cheryl had surprised her with a dream trip to Graceland! That vacation was a wish come true!

Maxine loved “her people” … especially her brother and sisters, and their families. She also treasured the annual camping “Christmas” family reunions that were held with each side of her family, the Wards and the Clarksons, every year. These reunions were a highlight of Maxine’s summers. Enthusiastically named “Christmas in July” and “Christmas in August,” she took great pleasure in spending any time she could with her first cousins and all of their families. Maxine also enjoyed curling, and was excited when she purchased tickets to attend the famous Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Red Deer several years ago. Together with Cheryl, her sister Sally, and her niece Jody – they really enjoyed the event and built many memories! Maxine also appreciated a great baseball game – especially any game with her beloved Toronto Blue Jays! At a big, special birthday bash for her 70th birthday a few years ago, everyone came to celebrate – with the evening ending at 3:30 a.m.! Maxine cherished that night! She loved her friends and family dearly. Maxine was one in a million – always wanting to make people laugh and ensure everyone was having fun. If you knew her … you simply couldn’t help but love her.

Maxine will be forever loved and greatly missed by her daughter Cheryl Rallison of Rimbey; her sisters, Sally Pederson of Cereal, Alberta, and Kathy (Wayne) Rude of Olds; her sister-in-law Ruth Ward (Dean) of Powell River, B.C.; and her brother-in-law Doug Aitken of Red Deer. She will also be greatly missed by her nieces: Tara, April, Jody, Lisa, Laura, and Kathy; her nephews: Donny, Aaron, and Troy; in addition to many great nieces and nephews; numerous cousins and other relatives; as well as large circle of close friends. Maxine was predeceased by her parents Howard and Annie; husband Pat; son Lyle; her companions, Ken and Harry; her brother Ron; sister Linda Aitken; brother-in-law Grant Pederson; as well as her aunt and uncle Pat and Earl Ward.

A Private Family Service to Celebrate Maxine’s Life was held at a later date. If friends desire, memorial tributes in her memory may be made directly to Alberta Lung & NWT, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 6K2 (www.ablung.ca). Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca

Cremation Arrangements for the Late Lorna “Maxine” Howie entrusted to the care of