Maxine B. Cleary

On Thursday, July 20, 2023, Maxine B. Cleary, a proud Dental Hygienist and Wolverine, best mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and wife, passed away at the age of 89.  She was born July 24, 1933, in Alpena, Michigan to Edward and Helen (Bailey) Barlow.  She was a graduate of Alpena High School, and in an uncommon move for the era and rural area, traveled ‘unaccompanied’ to Ann Arbor to earn a degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1952.  Upon graduating she worked professionally and began a life-long interest in travel, starting with Europe, by herself, in the late 1950’s.

Maxine met William ‘Bill’ M. Cleary, a Spartan, in 1962 and they were married at the Michigan State University Memorial Chapel on October 26, 1963 (The MSU – U of M Football game ended in a tie that year).  They settled in Royal Oak initially, and although soon a mother of two (1964 and 1966, 16-months apart), Maxine never gave up her Dental Hygiene profession.  After a brief hiatus during the ‘toddler’ years, she worked continually, first 1 day a week, then, after a move to East Lansing in 1973, up to 3-4 days a week, throughout the 1970’s, 1980’s, and into the 1990’s.

Maxine continued with and developed several other interests as well.  She was a long-time Red Cross call volunteer to the home-bound to check on how they were doing or just to talk.  She was a long-standing member and Past-President of the University of Michigan Alumni Club – of East Lansing (yes, it does exist).  She played the piano. She audited (when that practice was allowed) MSU courses on a variety of subjects to satisfy a life-long intellectual curiosity. She was an avid gardener, was a member of the Rose Society, and coincidentally grew award-winning Hybrid Tea Roses. And at age 86 she learned how to use ‘the computer’ and her smart phone, becoming particularly adept at sending trash-talking texts during sporting events.

Maxine was strong in her faith, expressed as a 50-year member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church where she served multiple terms as an Elder and Deacon.  She was a member of Church Women United and ran the ‘Hope Closet’ out of the church for many years providing no-cost clothing to underprivileged plus-sized women. She also participated in mission trips through the Church to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, providing basic dental care, medical and dental supplies to the people there.

And she continued to travel for pleasure – ‘encouraging’ (sometimes pulling and/or dragging) Bill to visit all 50 states – including Hawaii, and a cruise to Alaska.  There was also significant international travel with trips to Japan, Hong Kong, China, Spain, Russia, Ireland and the British Isles to name just a few.

Maxine was preceded in death by Bill (2020), her parents, sister-in-law Carol Lucas & brother-in-law Paul Lucas, brother-in-law James Norsworthy, and brother-in-law Robert Hall. She is survived by her sons Michael of Lansing & Patrick (Kerri) Cleary of Howell, grandson Kelly (Heather Kotalik) Cleary of Holly, & great-grandson Lincoln Cleary (and his brother Kaeden).  She is also survived by her ‘kid’ sister Diane Norsworthy of Rochester Hills, sister-in-law Patricia Hall of Northville, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Our family would like to especially thank Tim Sloan, PA of Lansing Cardiovascular Consulting; Dr. Kevin Nohner and staff of the Sparrow Medical Group; Maggie and the staff of Independence Village East Lansing, Probity Home Care, Home Instead, Landmark Health services, Careline Hospice, McLaren Hospital emergency care staff and McLaren Hospice, and Courtyard Manor Howell for all of their compassion and care these past several weeks and months.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 1:00PM at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1315 Abbot Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.

The family is being served by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Those desiring may make contributions to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, East Lansing, in memory of Maxine Cleary. One of our mother’s favorite sayings began with ‘When my ship comes in… .’  She has now gone down to the dock and boarded her ship for wonderful new travels, until we meet again.