OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Maxine House, 75, formerly of Pittsfield, passed away suddenly Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, after a massive brain hemorrhage. She was born Jan. 19, 1936, in Pittsfield, the youngest child of the late Estelle S. and Joseph R. Cianchette.
After graduating from Maine Central Institute in 1954, Maxine – “Mickie” to her friends – attended New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1958. During her career Mickie worked as a preoperative surgical nurse, a traveling nurse in Arizona and Kentucky, and also worked in several rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. In 1970 Mickie married Richard House of South Bristol. After residing in Pittsfield for a few years, they moved to Bellingham, Mass., where they lived until their retirement in the San Diego area in 2006. Mickie savored the year-round warm temperatures and never once missed the snow. Mickie was an avid reader who could always be found with a hardcover book in her hand and a cup of steaming hot black coffee. She loved to travel, play cards with her friends, and take a few turns on the slot machines at local casinos. Mickie was president of her community’s activities committee and was always on the go with friends. She was a big New England Patriots fan, and everyone knew not to bother her when a game was on. Mickie had a kind and generous heart, she loved her family and friends, and she took the time to make everyone feel special.
She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Richard House; a daughter, Sally Frances House, whom she adored; a brother, Joseph R. Cianchette Jr. and wife, Greta, of Detroit, Maine; sisters, Caroline Monroe of Bradshaw, Neb., and Sally Dwinell and husband, Kevin, of Newport; sisters-in-law, Frances Mank of Waldoboro and Theresa Cianchette of Pittsfield; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; and a brother, Edward Cianchette.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Ave., Pittsfield, with the Rev. Barry Gamache of Bristol, R.I., officiating. A committal service will be afterward at Village Cemetery, Peltoma Avenue, Pittsfield. A reception will be held immediately after at the Masonic Hall, Hamilton Drive, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Maxine Cianchette House Nursing Scholarship Fund, Maine Central Institute, 295 Main St., Pittsfield, ME 04967. Cremation services are under care of Eternal Hills, Oceanside, Calif., and memorial arrangements are under the care of Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield. To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit
www.shoreynichols.com.