A resident of the Long Sault Villa since May of 2006, Maxine Link passed away at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Thursday, October 20, 2011. She was 89.
Maxine was born in Grantley on June 21, 1922, the eldest child of Willam and Velva Merkley (nee Todd). When Maxine was only six years old, her brother Gordon four and her sister Dolores 18 months, their mother died. Maxine and Gordon were then raised by Grandma and Grandpa Merkley and Dolores was adopted by another family.
Maxine and Gordon lived with their grandparents until she was 13 and her father re-married Alice Meyers. She and Gordon then went to live with them. Maxine and Gordon were eventually blessed with seven half brothers from their father’s second marriage.
For three years, the family lived south of Finch on Roy Rupert’s farm. Maxine attended elementary school in Sandtown, and high school in Finch. The family then moved to a Crysler farm east of Morrisburg, for the next three or four years before they moved to Evergreen Hall farm which was owned by Edson Salmon. Maxine worked for Mrs. Salmon helping to clean rental cabins.
During that time she met and married Gerald Link on March 20, 1943, and they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Marie in December of 1944.
After their marriage Maxine and Gerald lived in a home on Church Road owned by Gerald’s brother Russell. They then moved to Gerald’s fathers farm until the Seaway construction began and forced them to move to a home they had built on the north end of the property. They resided there until the early 1970’s, when they sold their home and moved to the bungalow next door.
Maxine lived in that home in Riverside Heights until May of 2006, when she moved to the Long Sault Villa.
Maxine was an active member of the Riverside community having served as a member of the Rebekah Lodge, the Riverside Sewing Club, and Women’s Institute. She was a dedicated member of Lakeshore Drive United Church in Morrisburg, and she also helped quilt with the Lutheran church ladies which was important to her. Maxine was a hard worker, a good cook and she loved to visit with her family.
She and Gerald were fortunate to enjoy three winter months in Florida for 17 years prior to Gerald’s passing in 2002.
Maxine is survived by her daughter Marie (Ralph) Marcellus of Riverside Heights and her siblings Jim (Barbara) Merkley of Morewood, Richard (Bridget) Merkley of Winchester, Howard (Betty) Merkley of Morewood, Francis (Louise) Merkley of Orleans, Doug (Beverly) Merkley of Winchester and David (Carol) Merkley of Courtney, B.C.
She was predeceased by her husband Gerald, her sister Dolores Moffat and her brothers Gordon and Wallace Merkley.
Maxine will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Bert (Sandi) Marcellus, Ron Marcellus, Cathy (Jason) St. Pierre and great-grandchildren Austin, Rayanna, Aleisha and Bryce. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the home on Monday, October 24th at 10 a.m., with Rev. Arlyce Schiebout officiating. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery, Mariatown.
Pallbearers were Bert Marcellus, Ron Marcellus, Austin Marcellus, Jason St. Pierre, Doug Hartle and Graham Link. Honorary pallbearers were Cathy St. Pierre, Sandi Marcellus, Rayanna Marcellus, Aleisha St. Pierre and Bryce St. Pierre.
Donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital or Lakeshore Drive United Church would be appreciated by the family.
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