MAXINE DeWOODY HAMILTON

HAMILTON MAXINE DeWOODY TAYLOR HAMILTON, PhD Maxine DeWoody Taylor Hamilton of Silver Spring MD, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, cousin and friend, died in Martinsburg, WV on Tuesday morning July 23, 2013 at the age of 85. Maxine was a passionate advocate and volunteer in the developmental disabilities community. She served on the Board of Directors of The ARC of Montgomery County, MD and The ARC's Residential Support Group (RSG), of which she served as President for multiple years. She received many awards for her service, including in 2010 the Lorraine Sheehan-Bernard Gould Award from The Arc of Maryland for outstanding volunteer service in governmental affairs benefitting persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Her son Graham was a participant in the residential and vocational program at The ARC of Montgomery County, MD since 1983. In addition to her service to The ARC, Maxine was a member of the Women's Democratic Club of Montgomery County, MD. Maxine was also an avid golfer, bridge player, bowler and lover of the arts, especially theatre and music. Maxine was a force of nature: an indomitable spirit with a marvelous wit, sense of humor and a joy in living. She was apt to burst into song at any given moment, drawing on her encyclopedic knowledge of the Great American Songbook. A foreign-service wife, Maxine spent many years abroad, raising five children as the family moved from Indonesia to Italy to Belgium and England. She taught school both in the States and abroad, and after returning to the US, switched careers to become a tax consultant, operating her own business for more than fifteen years. She holds a BA from Allegheny College; an MA in International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; an M. Ed. from the University of Southern California and a PhD in British History from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. Maxine leaves behind her husband William Graham Hamilton; one son, Graham Hamilton; four daughters, Jean Hamilton, Ellen O'Donnell, Carol Hamilton and Allison Hamilton-Rohe; four grandchildren, Yassamin Davoodi, Fiona O'Donnell, Adelia and Jacob Hamilton-Rohe; and three sons-in-law, Matthew O'Donnell, John Wright and Jeff Rohe. Maxine was born on September 30, 1927 in New Castle, PA. Her parents were Rachel Pollock and Howard DeWoody Taylor. She was preceded in death by her brother, David Taylor and her sister, Verna Taylor. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at the Inter-Faith Chapel, 3680 N. Leisure World Boulevard, Silver Spring, MD at 11 am. Private interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. The family kindly suggests that memorial contributions may be made to The ARC of Montgomery County, MD. Please view and sign the family guestbook at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com.