On her own terms and with her family by her side, Maxine Joyce Plumridge passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept 13, 2018.

Mom was born on June 5, 1933 to Harold and Marie Green, the middle of three girls. The first nine years of her life were spent on the family farm, south of La Vallee, before moving to Fort Frances, Ont. Most people just pack their possessions when they move but in this case, the Green family moved the entire house, where it was placed on a new basement.

In the early 1950s, she met Joe Plumridge and they were married on Oct. 4, 1952. Joe was a scaler for the local mill and was transferred to the Atikokan, Ont. area, where the family would live in various logging camps and where they had a daughter and two sons.

Mom was known to have a strong back bone and perhaps some of this came from raising three young children without electricity or running water.

In 1960, the family moved into Atikokan, where one more boy was added to the family.

In 1965, Dad was transferred back to Fort Frances, which was booming with the construction of the kraft mill. Accommodations were hard to come by and Mom and Dad took the plunge and purchased a house that was under construction—even though they were warned by friends that they would never pay off such a huge mortgage.

Mom lived there for the next 51 years until it was purchased by one of her grandsons.

Mom was a wonderful caregiver, taking care of all her family. Her kitchen table was the card-playing destination of her sisters, where games would continue late into the night. Her children and grandchildren would exchange stories over coffee and lasting memories were shared.

Over the years, Mom worked at many different places, including the CIBC, Rainycrest, Dr. L.V. Dennis, and the Fort Frances Times.

Mom was very athletic and played baseball into her 30s. Curling always was a passion, first as a curler and then watching on TV. When they were in their 50s, Mom and Dad took up golf, and most of their free time in the summer would find them out on the golf course. Mom was able to golf into her 80s, when it became physically impossible for her to continue.

Mom also was a member of the hospital auxiliary and enjoyed manning the cart with her friend, Sharon.

As well, Mom was the anonymous “Mitten Lady” who donated more than 1,000 pairs of mittens to local schools over the last few years.

When her house became too much to take care of, she moved to Flinders Place, where she had a wonderful apartment, with a beautiful view of the river. She enjoyed the company of the many friends she had there.

Mom is survived by her daughter, Debra (Jim) Armstrong; son, Rod (Linda); sister, Ann (Dave) Ostby; five grandchildren, Jocelyn (Tim), Trevor (Heather), Ryan (Lindsay), Jeff (Abbey), and Rob (Allison); and three great-grandchildren, Brandon, Jace, and Ella.

She also is survived by her sisters-in-law, Vi Plumridge and Betty Plumridge; many nieces and nephews; and her best friend, Sharon DeBenedet.

She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Marie Green; husband, Joe; sons, Lyle and Greg; and her sister, Doris.

Cremation has taken place and at Mom’s request, there will be no funeral.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 at 1 p.m. in McMillan Hall at Knox United Church in Fort Frances.

If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to Riverside Foundation for Health Care or a charity of your choice.