YARMOUTH – Maxine Ann Clifford, 86, of Yarmouth passed from this life to the next on Sunday December 21, 2014. She was born on March 21, 1928 in Bennington, Vt., one of four children of Alice (Miller) and Wilbur Keene. When she was 13 the family moved to South Portland and she graduated from South Portland High School, Class of 1946.
After graduation she worked a year at Porteous and then attended University of Maine at Orono where she studied merchandising. While at UMO she met Harrison G. Clifford of Falmouth and they were married in 1948. The couple lived in a number of places due to his military service and because of work before they settled in Yarmouth to raise their four children.
Maxine worked at a local card shop and then worked for many years at Loring, Short & Harmon in the book and stationary department before retiring due to illness.
Maxine was a lifelong movie buff, avid reader, enjoyed a wide range of music and often knitted and sewed. She was very interested in her children's education, their interests and encouraged each to pursue what was important to them. She was known to be even tempered, respectful and taught her children the importance of manners, a lesson that has been passed on to her grandchildren. Maxine will be remembered for her spontaneous spirit, her beautiful smile, gentleness and love of family, others, animals – all of God's creatures.
She is survived by her four children: Allyson C. Smith and her husband Lindy of Chebeague Island; Harrison G. Clifford, Jr. and his wife Patti of Florida; Frank A. Clifford who is teaching in China and his former wife Ann; Jeffrey K. Clifford and his wife Dianne of Kittery Point; her 11 grandchildren: Jennifer, Jarrod, Rebecca, Christopher, Josh, Elizabeth, Fiona, Colin, Keara, Sagan and Jeremy; her seven great-grandchildren: Ethan, Aaron, Cambell, Brady, John, Eva and Rowan; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband in 1984, her two sisters and her brother.
There will be a time of gathering and visitation with a breakfast buffet from 9 – 10:30 a.m. on Saturday January 3, 2015 at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth with a memorial service following at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in the spring in Riverside Cemetery in Yarmouth. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Maxine's life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.
For those who wish, donations may be made in Maxine's memory to: , PO Box 10310, Portland, ME 04104