Maxine 'Max' Gibson, 69

Maxine "Max" Gibson, passed away July 10, 2006, at her home on Blackmer Lane in the Lake Blaine area.

She was born Jan. 29, 1937, in Lewistown, the daughter of Donald Lawrence and Donna Rae Staley. The family moved from Zortman to Spokane in June 1940. They then moved to Columbia Falls in 1947.

Maxine married Alan T. Gibson on June 30, 1967.

Maxine made beautiful crafts that were known as Max/Crafts. She sold crafts out of her home and at the farmer's market. She gave many to friends and family. Maxine was an excellent homemaker and did a lot of baking, cooking and canning. She was always ready to help and give to others.

Maxine was preceded in death by her mother and father, and brother-in-law, Bud Farally.

She is survived by her husband, Al, at the family home; daughters, Kim and Duane Willet of Belleview, Wash., and Karen Gibson of Carbonado, Wash.; grandchildren, Cole and Tammy Staley and Gibson Lockhart of Washington; great-grandchild, Shelby Donna Staley, of Washington; sisters, Sharon and John Knutson of Libby, Dianne Farally of Media, Penn., Jacquie Staley of Sacramento, Calif., and Patty and Clay Bosh of Colorado; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at noon today, July 15, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.