WARREN — Ruth Rowling “Nana” Maxfield, 72, died peacefully Oct. 29, 2015, with her loving family at her side, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born in Rockland on Jan. 31, 1943, she was the daughter of Charles II and Marcia Phinney Rowling. Educated locally, she was a 1961 graduate of Rockland High School.

An avid swimmer since early childhood, she enjoyed going to Sandy Shores with her parents, and loved spending a lot of time with her Aunt Leslie and cousins-like-sisters, Jean and Gail, at their camp on the St. George River in Cushing.

She studied business at Husson College in Bangor before moving to Norfolk, Va., where she met a young sailor - the love of her life - Red Maxfield. They were wed at her cousin Phil Rowling's house in Norfolk, and enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage.

During Red's 20 years in the Navy, she was a homemaker, attending to the needs of her family. Much of that time they were stationed in California.

When Red retired from the military, they moved to his native Utah, where he worked in the school system, and she worked at a ski resort in Park City, and then became a real estate agent. She enjoyed helping people find, and get into, the home of their dreams.

After they moved to Maine in 1990, she continued working in real estate for a time, while doing book work for Red's handyman business, At Your Service. Always a wonderful cook, she started her own business, Aunt Polly's Pantry. Red helped her in her business, as she helped him in his. Together they put in long hard hours doing what they loved, baking pies and breads, making jams and jellies and pickles to be sold. Her wares became famous at the farmer's markets, where she and Red made many friends. People who had visited Camden or Rockland farmers’ markets and tasted her wares would often order cases of pickles and jams, which she and Red shipped all over the country.

Her home was also warm and inviting, especially during the holidays when her special touch could be felt everywhere.

She was always active in the communities in which she lived. Wherever she was, she would quietly preform random acts of kindness "behind the scenes." She volunteered in hospice, provided transportation to health care appointments for those unable to drive themselves, enjoyed giving of her time volunteering with A.I.O., St. Peter's Soup Kitchen, and contributing to Smile Train, or buying a goat for a family in a third world country for Christmas. She was an active member of Rockland Congregational Church, often sharing her beautiful voice with song and harmony. Ruthie had a special personality, her broad infectious smile, sparkling blue eyes, and freckled face brought joy to everyone she came in contact with. Her soft heart and love of people gave her a special way with comforting words and advice. She had an upbeat nature, often whistling wherever she went. Her optimistic spirit allowed her to make the best of even the hardest situations in life. She was an avid reader her whole life, and although never a know-it-all, Ruthie had amassed a great wealth of knowledge from a lifetime of reading.

Predeceased by her parents; and a son-in-law, Scott Bippes; Ruth is survived by her husband, Bert E. “Red” Maxfield of Warren; her daughters, Marcia Crippen and her husband, Steven, of Camden, and Bonnie Bippes of Plain City, Utah; her brothers, Charles H. Rowling III and his companion, Jan, of Rockport, and Roger E. Rowling and his wife, Linda, of Owls Head; three grandchildren, Christopher Crippen and his fiancée, Caron, of Gorham, Cassandra “Sassie” Crippen of Camden and Conner Bippes of Plain City, Utah; as well as beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock Street, with a reception following, where people can reminisce and share in the "celebration of life." The Rev. Seth D. Jones will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Rockland Public Library, P.O. Box 764, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.