ROCKPORT — Maxine Elaine Wellman Carle stepped from her earthly home to her eternal home peacefully and unexpectedly on February 26, 2021.

Born in Albion on August 21, 1938 to Paul R Wellman and Louise Bonney Wellman, she was the second of four children. When reflecting on a lifetime, it is often easy to forget the bookends that frame history. Maxine was born in the year of ticker tape parades in NYC, the Queen Mary had made a transatlantic crossing record, the first Sturgis Motorcycle rally was held in Sturgis, South Dakota, Kenny Rogers was born, and Winston Churchill wisely urged the formation of a united front with France, the Soviet Union, and the US.  There were no computers, no TV’s, there were no cell phones, the news of the day was reported on the radio, along with shows for entertainment.

Growing up in Palermo, a rural farming community, she developed a strong work ethic which she passed on to her children. She was a straight A student, as evidenced by the report card saved in her box of memorabilia. She has shared stories of picking beans and other crops in the summer with her siblings Bev, Marion and Sherwin to buy school clothes for the fall.

A born caregiver, Maxine went on to nursing school and graduated as an RN in 1959. Her last work was appropriately with the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta, where she truly contributed to the lives of countless service men and women. Maxine always gave of herself, truthfully to a fault. Although she did not work as a nurse for 35 years while she raised her children, she was always operating in that capacity. All of the children remember going to her for what they thought was an ailment worthy of great alarm and the response being an underwhelming and disappointing “put some black salve and a band aid on it.” However when there was a true need for nursing, Maxine stepped in as if those skills were reflexive and intuitive. Based on this narrative, it is not surprising Maxine’s generosity was unparalleled. She loved to give. She was unable to keep anything for herself. Often when receiving a gift, her first thought was who could use it. It was pointless to give her monetary gifts or gift certificates, as she would give them away to someone else. She loved Christmas and modeled the spirit of Christmas by baking for neighbors, family and friends while raising her family.

She married Stuart Carle on June 15, 1958 and they settled in Hope, and raised their family. Not just a family, a family of 10 children, a legacy that now extends well beyond the home they created. Mothering came in many forms, initially driving the local school bus for several years, hosting 4-H and the Good News Club in her home for neighborhood kids, gardening, cooking, and canning, Maxine’s life story eventually became epic.

She leaves behind her 10 children: Tammy Longfellow, Pam Longfellow, Bryan Carle, Heidi Carle, Jamie Carle, Holly Underhill, Heather Carle, Joshua Carle, Bonny Longley and Elizabeth Carle; 27 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Her family now includes stepchildren and in-laws that even span the globe…. Maxine’s legacy is truly extraordinary by any measure, now eternally known as “Nana” to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who were her ultimate joy, especially in her later years.

After retirement, Maxine embarked on several years of travel. She chose to not keep a home, instead traversing the country and finding her ‘home’ month by month with a different one of her children. Maxine would arrive and soon the house would be clean, dinner would be arranged, the laundry would be folded and anything wrinkled perfectly ironed.

Her faith and family were the most important to her, her Bible as a constant companion, her trust in God to “work things out” and take care of things beyond her control was immovable. In the last week of her life, she was thrilled to be able to pray with one of her great grandchildren as she also gave her heart to God. In the absence of any definable ailment, the family is comforted knowing she was sent for by God to join the angels in watching over all her loved ones. A judgement call we appreciate with reverence, after all, we have all benefited from her prayers, she clearly has more to give, now in heaven. She will forever be missed here on earth, as we celebrate a life well lived.

Calling hours will be held Friday, March 5, 2021, from 4 - 6 p.m.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 11 a.m., at Lamont’s Riverside Farm, 1430 Moody Mountain Road, Searsmont.  

Condolences maybe shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.