ROCKPORT — Maxine Dinsmore Stanley, 82, died unexpectedly Wednesday, December 18, 2019, after a pedestrian/motor vehicle accident on Rockland Street, near her home.

Born in Appleton, March 30, 1937, she was the daughter of Leonard J. and Anna S. Feingold Fish. She grew up in Appleton with her two brothers, Arnold and Wayne, and attended school there. She was a 1955 graduate of Appleton High School and was always proud of her Appleton roots.

She loved to dance, which is where she met and fell in love with Albert ‘Bub’ Dinsmore. They married and after traveling awhile, returned to Maine to start their home. They loved to socialize at home and at the Rockland Lodge of Elks. They were blessed with a son, Matthew.

Together they enjoyed many trips filled with lots of laughter. “Bub could always make me laugh,” she would often say. Maxine lovingly cared for Bub during his struggle with cancer, until his death in 2002. Later she was swept off her feet by Vito Stanley. Following a whirlwind romance, they traveled the world and ultimately settled in Edgecomb. Vito often referred to Maxine as “his butterfly”, always fluttering from one thing to another. Vito passed from health complications, and yet again, Maxine was lost.

She moved back to her Rockport home. She had many pets and loved to create things such as stain glass and gardening. She was supported by family and friends.

After being introduced to Carl Ilvonen, who had lost his wife, they became beloved companions and barely spent a day apart for the next ten years. They saved each other and Maxine was instantly adopted by his family. They were like two kids as they bought a Mustang together and a camper to put down at Spruce Head. She called it “their $500 camper with a million-dollar view.” She was by Carl’s side when he passed in 2018.

Maxine was a hard worker. She worked and retired from Sylvania, in Waldoboro, after many years. She made many friends who stayed connected long after their retirement. Her door was always open. She loved having extended family come and stay at her house. She was an awesome cook, but that usually meant participating in one of her favorite things, going out to eat. Very proud of her heritage, she always wore her Star of David.

Other than her parents, two husbands and companion, Maxine was predeceased by her brother Wayne Putanzu, and an infant brother, Paul Fish.

She is survived by her son, Matthew A. Dinsmore and his companion Rhonda Bickford of Owls Head; her brother Arnold A. Fish and his wife Evangeline of Rockland; two step-grandchildren, Leia Dennison, Savannah Dennison; and a great-grandson, Jackson; as well as several nieces nephews and extended family members.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Friday, Jan. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a Celebration of Maxine’s Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the Rockland Lodge of Elks, 210 Rankin Street, in Rockland.

Spring interment will be in the Rockville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bob Gagnon Cancer Care Fund, C/O Waldo / Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or story with Maxine’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.