Josephine Grace Maxwell

Coila, N.Y. Josephine Grace Maxwell, 84, died peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the Vermont Veteran's Home, Bennington, Vt., where she had been a resident for several months. She was the widow of Horace Rich Maxwell who died in 1991. Born Wednesday, May 21, 1924 in Bennington, she was the daughter of Charles and Grace Brown Prentiss. At the age of 11 she moved to Coila, to live with the family of Helen and Clarence Merriman and attended the Coila School for seventh grade. She continued her education at the Cambridge Union School and graduated in 1942. During World War II she worked at Dun Barton's thread mill in Greenwich. She moved with the Merrimans when they moved to the farm on County Route 62. In 1955 Josephine was badly burned in a fire and spent more than a year in the hospital. She then returned to the farm and after Clarence died, she helped Helen run the farm. She was in charge of cattle breeding, an unusual job for a woman at that time. Later, she and Helen became partners in the farm. Josephine worked at General Electric in Fort Edward for nine years retiring in 1980 when she married Horace. They were married on May 3, and resided at the Maxwell home next to the Coila Garage. She was a member and former deacon of the Shushan United Presbyterian Church and a member of the Mary McClellan Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Several years ago, Josephine moved to the Cambridge Guest Home and more recently to the Veteran's Home. Survivors include three step-children, Patricia Maxwell of Seattle, Wash., Dr. James Maxwell of the Bahamas, and Martha Davis of Coila; Two siblings, Beatrice Hatch and her husband, William, of Cambridge, and Harry Prentiss of Charleston, S.C.; A sister-in-law, Muriel M. Lufkin of Coila; Eight grandchildren, Brandon Knight and his wife, Angelina, Megan Case and her husband, Jeff, Ben Adlin, Kelly Maxwell-Watkins and her husband, Jason, Megan Maxwell, Brian Davis and his wife, Stephanie, Kaitlin Wolff and her husband, Freddie, and Jonathan Davis; Seven great-grandchildren, Victoria, Ian and Michael Knight, Casey and Mackenzie Wolff and Noah and Olivia Davis; Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A brother, Arthur (Stubby) Prentiss of Bennington, died before her. A service to honor and remember Josephine's life will be held at the Shushan United Presbyterian Church on Friday, Aug. 1, 2008 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. George Orlemann officiating. A reception will follow. Her ashes will be buried at Woodlands Cemetery with her husband at a private ceremony. The family suggests memorial donations be made to either Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 52, Cambridge, NY 12816; The Shushan United Presbyterian Church, Shushan, NY 12873 or the Vermont Veteran's Home Activity Fund, 425 North St., Bennington, VT 05201. Arrangements are under the direction of Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, Cambridge.