Maxine Elizabeth Meach

November 15, 1925 - November 26, 2020

After celebrating her 95th birthday with beautiful flowers, and enjoying a hundred cards and birthday wish videos on her personal laptop, Maxine Elizabeth Troy Meach peacefully passed in her sleep on Thanksgiving eve. She was born in Wayland, MI November 15, 1925. When she rode the train to Ann Arbor's University of Michigan, with just a suitcase in hand, she initiated a most productive, unselfish life and determination to become a dental hygienist, graduating in 1947. Maxine belonged to the Michigan Dental Hygienists Association (MDHA), serving multiple years as an officer and working member, which culminated on Mackinac Island in 2002, when she was awarded the Frances Shook Award in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the profession. She always practiced her philosophy that, “If you live in a community, you need to give back to that community – do something to make it better.” Over the years, she served as president of nearly every organization she joined. With her marriage to Dr. Charles L. Meach II in 1954, Maxine embraced an immediate family and motherhood with loving enthusiasm. By the time their new daughter was born in 1955, Maxine was already shouldering family and community efforts efficiently. Over the years, she was a member of the Friendly Garden Club, Traverse City Ikebana Flower Society, and Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan. Traverse City summers included sailing and boating the navigable waters that could be reached via the Great Lakes, hosting relatives, planning family events and maintaining her beautiful home and landscapes. Maxine loved the beauty of nature and often enticed grandchildren or neighborhood youngsters and friends into exploring shorelines or trails in search of treasures – treasure samples can be found in her garage today! She was a founding member of the Children's Garden at the Traverse City Public Library. Her own grandchildren thrived on all the special attention she gave each of them. Maxine's strong leadership and volunteerism led her to form the Grand Traverse Area Parkinson's Support Group when her husband acquired Parkinson's Disease and they sought to find ways to help themselves and others meet the challenge of living with PD. Parkinsons Network North now operates as a nonprofit that provides monthly education, support meetings, and fundraising. Maxine oversaw 35 years of planning that produced an annual summer forum bringing medical experts and hope to over 250 participants that attended. The Davis Finney Foundation Victory Summit meeting in Grand Rapids gave her the "Local Hero Award" in 2011 in recognition of these contributions. She was also awarded the Raymond Bauer, MD, Humanitarian Award in 1990 by the Michigan Parkinson's Foundation. Along with her pioneering efforts on behalf of people with Parkinsons, Maxine has contributed to many other organizations and charities in the region. Wherever she turned her attention she brought with her the thoughtful analysis, persistence, and willingness to help that has distinguished all of her accomplishments. Perhaps her greatest legacy is the loving care, interest, and generosity she treated family and friends to at every opportunity. Her neighbors and dear friends took special care of her and have shared loving stories involving her. Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, Nellie and James Troy, her siblings, Mae (William) Burgess and Howard (Wilma) Troy, her husband, “Chuck” and daughter, Jennie. She is survived by her daughters, Sally (Pete) Doneth, Margy (Jim) Goss, and son-in-law, David (Jennie) Lewis. Grandchildren include David (Robin) and Don Lewis; Erik (Michelle), Damon (Tracy), and Adam (Jennifer) Goss; and Matthew and Andrew Doneth. Family members plus thirteen great-grandchildren remember her fondly and enjoyed phone chats with her. We all miss her sweet, and sometimes fierce, attention. LOVE YOU, MOM! Our family looks forward to celebrating her life in July, when pandemic restrictions may be lifted. We hope you can join us under kinder times, when the flowers bloom for Maxine. Maxine would be honored if you directed any donations to Parkinson's Network North or the Traverse City Children's Garden. Addresses follow: Parkinson's Network North PO BOX 5734 Traverse City, MI 49696-5734 Traverse City Children's Garden 505 Riverine Drive Traverse City, MI 49686. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Maxine's family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral home is caring for Maxine and her family.