Margaret W. MAXEY Obituary (2025)

Margaret Winnefred Maxey (Fish) was called home by her Lord on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Born in Bandon, Oregon June 10, 1936 to Sumner Edwin and Winnefred E (Wion) Fish who preceded her in death. Also preceded by her Sister Mary Hall of Bend, Oregon and her adored husband Ben (Benny) Maxey, married May 9, 1996. Survived by her Brothers Arthur (Art) Fish, Spouse Shirly of Corvalis, Oregon and John (Johnny) Fish, Spouse Linda of Toppenish, WA. Also, her children Leo R LaMay Spouse Peggy of Spokane, WA. David M Herron of Yakima, WA. Mary Leta Grundy, Spouse James R of Union Gap, WA. Marcy L Turner of Yakima, WA and Timothy M Herron, Spouse Polly of Grays Harbor, WA and Cathy L Stai, Spouse Earl Stai of Selah, WA. Multiple Nieces and Nephews, 10 Grandchildren and 20 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great. We as the Family are very appreciative of her long-time friends, neighbors, Harry and Lorraine Strong. They shared thoughts as gardeners and took care of her plants and lawn for many years. Also, their equal love of animals brought them to the fence to stand and chat; eat cherry tomatoes, raspberry's and enjoy laughter. Retiring as their Bookkeeper of many years with General Supply of Yakima, WA. During that time she also went up through the Chairs landing as Secretary/Treasurer for the Local Yakima Credit Professionals International a non-profit Credit Educational approach for businesses and schools throughout the USA. Margaret loved going to the Movies and attending with friends. Anything outdoors, camping, growing vegetables, flowers. Additionally cooking, crochet, ironing, canning and animals especially her dog Minnie; collecting small stuffed animals to cuddle for and along with her dog. Doing multiple hours on her family Genealogy project at her home computer. Plus, she enjoyed dining-out and dancing, a lot of dancing, for which she would extend her stay over with both David and Marcy who would then double as her personal Uber driver(s). Music was a big thing - entering each generation with a new rock favorite; attending a Rock-NRoll concert like Five Finger Death Punch, having a blast, possibly could have been the most seasoned attendee. Travel - traveling up and down the Pacific Coast, Florida and Hawaii was a favorite. She loved that when traveling with Mary and Jim, always had a personal chauffeur, homeward James. Every Spring to Summer Mom would catch a ride and become a guest with Leo and Peggy at Nine Mile Falls their Lake home; enjoying the water and family. When we were younger the Parents would have a bowling league night and one of Mom's prep techniques would be to set us kids to the task to peel, core, chop apples and place in the very large canning pot to cook into yummy applesauce the next morning. We had quite an assembly line to get the job done, of course, would have the Core/Peeler apparatus attached at the kitchen table and take turns for each step until the pan was full, or the apple boxes were empty. Mom always had a great way to make you a perfect comfort food. Many a time in that same kitchen we would create homemade pasta noodles, pie crusts, homemade ice cream or her favorite Sunday desert of Cream Puffs. On visits to our Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill's Home in Oregon during Thanksgiving packing many delicious pies to travel and share. Mom did like to tell the story of why she loved Cranberry's and would indulge in them on all occasions such as straight from the container - all variety from drinks to jellied sauce at the Holidays. Or the time her sister and her attempted making Cranberry Wine in their attic; taught them more about signs of fermentation than drinking wine - which they did not indulge, after all it was about taste! Or the one year they survived a Flood and escaped in boats off the Cranberry Farm. Her Father started the Cranberry Farm in Bandon Oregon in 1928 until he finally sold to Ocean Spray moving the family to Bandon. Mom always had a ready smile for all around her and enjoyed the sounds of laughter; especially during a gathering for a family event. God Bless you Margaret (Mom) and the time you had to grow us and love us whether we were your husband, daughters, sons, sister or brothers, aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces or nephews or grandchildren and great grandchildren and friends, you are loved and will be missed. Services provided through Brookside Funeral Home: Terrace Heights Memorial Park (Graveside) - September 20th, at 11AM, 3001 Terrace Heights Drive Yakima, WA 98901. Memorial Reception to follow at 12:30PM at Sun Country Estates Clubhouse, 3701 Gun Club Rd Yakima, WA 98901. In Lieu of flowers, please donate in her honor to the Yakima Humane Society https://yakimahumane.org/donate/ and/or the World Wildlife Fund https://wwf.panda.org.