PORTLAND – Maxine Tew Blackburn died peacefully at home in Portland on Jan. 20, 2022.

The daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Tew, Maxine was born on August 14, 1928 in Dalevile, Ala. Her family moved to Panama City, Fla. when she was 14.

Maxine married Robert Blackburn upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy on August 8, 1947 in Panama City, Fla.

Maxine lived an exciting life accompanying Bob as he moved around the country in the Pulp and Paper industry. One of the earliest adventures occurred when the family “Woody” engine seized and was pushed up hills by a large truck for over 100 miles through the Cascade Mountains. Another harrowing moment occurred on the return trip east from Washington State when the headlights failed and Maxine illuminated the way with a flashlight out the window, over treacherous Colorado mountain roads.

Other moments included many trips on one of the three Kathy B. power boats off the coast of Maine and later on Dauphin Island, Ala. The family had many trips to Millinocket and later to Upton snowmobiling. Moving to Portland in the summer of 1956, Maxine was active in the North Deering Congregational Church, the Summit Street Community Club, with her many friends including Franny Smith, and Bea Schultz.

Maxine was predeceased by her parents; husband, Bob; her brother, Harold Tew.

She is survived by her three children, Thomas (Carolyn) Blackburn of Portland, Phillip Blackburn of Biddeford, and Kathy (Gordon) Holmes of Yarmouth; her brother-in-law, Jack Blackburn of Palm Springs, Calif. and sister-in-law, Jean Tew of Panama City, Fla.; her grandchildren Tyler (Ibon) Blackburn of Temple Terrace, Fla., Benjamin (Karen) Blackburn of Brandon, Fla., Matthew (Coralee) DiBiase of Falmouth, Adrian (Amber) Holmes of Durham, Brandon (Kelley) Holmes of Falmouth; her great-grandchildren Jordan Dibiase, Madelyn DiBiase, Isabella Blackburn, Olive Blackburn, Stella and Zoe Holmes, Harrison Holmes; several nieces and nephews; and her caregivers Arica, Karen, Barbara and Michelle.

A graveside ceremony will be held in the spring.

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