Maxine Terhune

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Maxine’s favorite hymn, was playing as she passed from her life here to be with her God. She was held and surrounded by much of her loving family. Born in Tangent, Oregon to parents Mack and Maude Jenks, Maxine was the third of four daughters. Her sisters, Volena, Forena and Eleanor preceded her in death. She attended Oregon Agricultural College in Corvallis where she pursued her musical studies. On September 20, 1930, she married her high school sweetheart, Loren (Coonie) Terhune in a garden ceremony at her family home. She was called to her career in music education before she graduated. She taught piano, instrumental, vocal music in the Tangent, Shedd and Riverside schools. She formed orchestras in each school and put on annual school operettas. Years later she was required to complete her degree in education at the same college, now named Oregon State University, before she could complete her long career of helping children appreciate music and learn to play a variety of instruments. After moving from their Tangent farm to Corvallis, Maxine continued teaching vocal music in the Corvallis school system to complete 37 years of teaching. Many of Maxine’s former students kept in contact with her, appreciating the gift of music that she had given them. Maxine and Coonie enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening, providing an abundance of produce and flowers for friends and neighbors. Identifying and feeding wild birds was another hobby they enjoyed together. Maxine was known as a great cook and frequently hosted dinner parties. Her marionberry pies were raced for at potluck dinners. Maxine and Coonie were active inspirational members and leaders of the Methodist church in Tangent. They later moved to Corvallis and finally settled back close to their roots at the Mennonite Village in Albany. Their service to the three churches and three communities were great examples of their caring and generous spirits. Maxine and Coonie were married for 68 years. He passed on in December of 1998. They had a baby boy, Lewis Mack, who died at birth. Maxine is survived by her only living child, Ann Terhune Olsen; three grandchildren David Francis of Portland; Jeff and his wife Dixie Francis of West Linn; Lauren and her husband Justin Havlick of Boulder, Colorado; three great grandchildren Michelle, Jason and Zachary. The love, kindness and thoughtfulness Maxine demonstrated daily endeared her to her family. She always took the time to look her best and to be her best. Her grandson Jeff and his wife, Dixie, encouraged her to come to live with their family in West Linn in their newly built home. They promised to design a room especially for her. Surprisingly, she gave up her plan to stay at the Mennonite Village to move to the greater Portland area with her grandchildren which also brought her closer to Ann. Dixie tenderly and lovingly cared for Maxine as her well-being declined after a stroke. Maxine quickly learned to make new young friends and became the neighborhood “Gramma.” Recently, she said that she was in no hurry to move on to heaven as she did not want to miss any of the excitement continuously surrounding her in a home filled with teenagers. She enjoyed her last few years being surrounded with fresh flowers, birds at the three feeders outside her kitchen window and wonderful tasty food—the three things she loved most in life, aside from God, family and friends. Her closing words were “Thank You” and “I Love You.” Ann and all of Maxine’s family want to give our thanks and appreciation to Dixie and Jeff and especially Zelda, Beverly and Annie for the faithful loving care they provided Maxine during the last years of her life. In remembrance, memorial gifts may be made to Medical Teams International or Albany First United Methodist Church in care of McHenry Funeral Home 206 NW 5th St., Corvallis, OR 97330. A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday March 1 at the Albany First United Methodist Church 1115 28th Ave. SW Albany, OR 97321.

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Maxine Terhune

November 1, 1910 - February 23, 2010