DEXTER – Maxine L. Gillespie, 77, passed away Aug. 29, 2010, with her loving children at her side at Dexter Health Care. She was born Aug. 26, 1933, at the family farm in Exeter, daughter of James E. and Hazel (Doyon) Leavitt. She was a lifetime resident of the Exeter-Dexter community and attended Corinna Union Academy High School. She worked at Dexter Shoe until 1975, when she returned to school and attended Continental School of Hair Design, Bangor, receiving her beautician’s license in 1977. Maxine started the “His and Hers Hair Fashion” shop in her home in July of that year. She was active in her fashion shop for the next 33 years, until her retirement in March 2010. She also worked the second shift at Hardwood Products, Pharmaceutical Division, Guilford, from 1990 to 1996. She was married to James G. Gillespie, Oct. 6, 1951. She was a lifetime member of Order of the Eastern Star, Dexter, and attended many DeMolay, Masonic and Anah Shrine functions with her husband. Maxine and Jim enjoyed dancing and attended many weekly dances at Blue Goose, Northport, with their best friends, Phil and Muriel Nelson. Maxine’s life centered around her family, especially her children and grandchildren; and ZJ, her Pomeranian companion for the past six years. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Hazel Leavitt; and her husband, James Gillespie. She is survived by a son, Wayne Gillespie and his wife, Cloris, of Rialto, Calif., grandson, James Edwards and his wife, Leslie, and great-grandson, Michael; a son, L. Walter Gillespie and his wife, Debra, of Standish and grandchildren, Christopher and Derek Gillespie; a daughter, Teresa Gillespie of Dexter and granddaughter, Shannon Gillespie, of Old Town; a brother, Lewis Leavitt and his wife, Velma, of Exeter; a sister, Shirley Gray of Bangor; many nieces and nephews in the Bingham, Corinth, Exeter and Skowhegan areas. The family expresses their sincere gratitude to Community Health and Counseling, and Dexter Health Care and staff, for the excellent care and guidance provided to Maxine during the past six months. They also thank the many friends and family who visited her. At Maxine’s request, private services will be held at Crosby & Neal, Dexter. Public graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter, with Pastor A. Maurice Neal officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Charlotte White Center, 572 Bangor Road, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. For an online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.
MAXINE L. GILLESPIE
