Maxine Neva Chartier, 92, of Traverse City, entered eternal life peacefully with family by her side on December 17, 2021. She was born on October 14, 1929, to Verl M. and Pearl M. (Ward) Cornell in Boyne City, MI. On June 16, 1951, Maxine married Donald Bartholomew Chartier, and together they shared 68 years of marriage. Moving to Traverse City in 1969 from Detroit. The family joined Immaculate Conception Church. Don preceded her in death in 2019.

Maxine earned her registered nursing degree in 1951 and spent her career working in medical care facilities and geriatrics. Every summer while her kids were young, she took a leave from her nursing job so that she could take them to the family cottage on Lake Charlevoix for the season. Don and Maxine graciously welcomed the extended family to their cottage. The 4th of July was always a huge gathering of family and relatives with as many as fifty people staying at the cottage. She was a passionate reader her whole life. She loved to sit on the swing at the cottage reading with a cup of tea, but family was her true joy.

Maxine is survived by her daughters, Donna (Eric) Johnson, Jayne (Dick) Frederick, Molly (Tim) Murphy, and Alice (Rick) Pringle; sons, Bart (Rebecca), Bruce (Tracy), and Brian; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; sisters, Elaine Denise, Marilyn (Bob) Gruno, Eloise Cooper, Karen (Junior) Lyon, Sandy Sulak; and sisters-in-law, Betty Winter and Patricia Chartier.

In addition to her husband, Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; son, Paul Chartier; brother and sister-in-law, Raymond & Joann Cornell; brothers-in-law, Dave Denise, Bruce Cooper, and Ray Chartier; and sister-in-law, Rose (Bud) Sharp.

The family wants to thank the caregivers at Cherry Hill Haven, The Nest, for the excellent care given to Maxine the last few years of her life.


Memorial contributions in Maxine's name may be directed to Hospice of Michigan.

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A memorial will be held at a later date. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to leave a memory or condolence for Maxine's family.