Maxine Eileen Atherton

Coming to this far too late. Maxine was one of those life-changing teachers that some of us are lucky enough to know. She was one of the very, very best. The world is so much smaller without her. I would add, just for the record, that even after three college degrees, Maxine's 11th grade U.S. History exam was the most difficult I've ever taken. And I loved it. God bless.

Thank you, my teacher and friend. You opened up a Beautiful world of literature to me, and enriched my life beyond Belief! I think of you often, and bless you each time I read another gem of history or literature. I am currently reading Faust by Goethe, and I thank you for preparing my mind and soul to receive the beauty that God has implanted in this humans soul.
Love,
Marc Christensen
Class of 1988

I am so sorry to hear of Maxine's passing. I was a debate coach in Fallon, NV and had the pleasure of working with Maxine and Patrick. It wasn't work actually, it was always a joy being around them. This is a terrible loss to all of her students, her wonderful family and her many, many friends. "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

I remember Maxine as Maxine Kane. I attended Turlock High School and was in the class just behind hers. She was very active on campus, involved with many different groups. I remember her Thespian involvement in theatrical productions. She was great. It was so nice to read of her successful career and marriage. May God bless those who grieve for her.

I was a fortunate one, serving as a colleague of Maxine's for twenty years. The memories flood, and I realize just how educators, and most especially those of us who served as teachers, have touched immortality. The students of George Whittell High School were blessed to have Maxine as their teacher, and as long as they live, a piece of Maxine will be with them. I, too, was blessed to have her as a friend.

I am very glad that I got the chance to meet you and have you as my World History teacher. Your class was really a challenge for me but it made me think that you did it so it can help me in my future. I remember that everytime my friends and I hung around your room, you would give us a good morning and always smile at us. You were a wonderful teacher, mother, wife, co-worker and friend to many people, with such a great history. YOu have no idea how much you have influenced my life, apart from...

Ms. Atherton was a great inspiration to me. I had her a a teacher for my Junior and Senior years. She influenced me in a such a way that now I pass that on to my own children. I feel greatly blessed for having the opportunity of being taught by her. Thank you Ms. Atherton, you will never be forgotten.

I am so sorry to see such a wonderful, loving, nurturing individual leave us. Maxine was an inspiration in my High School life. She encouraged me to dig deeper and work harder for the life that I wanted. She never had a negative thing to say about what I aspired to do. She exposed all that she taught to things that were outside of "the box" and helped us broaden our horizons. I always wanted to do my best in her class to please her, not knowing that I was learning some valuable lessons...

Mrs. Atherton had a big influence on me - she taught me how to learn and how to have high expectations of myself. Her passion for teaching was evident - every year she had the enthusiasm of a first year teacher! I am most struck by the legacy she leaves behind. Her spark ignited fires in the hearts and minds of others that will continue burning through the years and generations. I feel blessed that some of her fire burns in me.