Maxine Joan Ballard

BALLARD, Maxine Joan - Of Flint, our beloved mother, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at The Oaks at Woodfield. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Father Dan Westermann officiating. 

Visitation 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. 

A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. 

Mrs. Ballard will be at the church from 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of the Mass. 

Maxine was 87 years old. She was born in Flint, Michigan on August 23, 1930, to Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Hilvers. 

Our mother resided in Flint all her life and graduated from St. Mary’s high School in 1948. After graduating she worked in the dietician’s office at St. Joseph Hospital until her marriage to Gerald Ballard on April 11, 1953, and they had five children. 

Maxine received an Achievement in Medical Assistant from Mott Community College in 1980. In 1981 she graduated from Mott Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science as a Medical Office Assistant. In 1990 she graduated from Baker College with an Associate Degree of Applied Science as a Medical Records Technician. She also received many high Achievement Awards while attended PSI Institute.  

Maxine was employed by Samaritan Health as a Home Health aide for many years. She was dedicated in caring for her patients while showing them empathy and compassion. Also, she was a volunteer at McLaren Cardiac Center and qualified to serve as a Hospice Volunteer. Our mom worked for a short period of time from home doing Medical Office work for a doctor’s office in Burton. Our mom also worked for Roy Wilkins School in Flint, doing Administrative work. 

Max maintained close contact with friends from her graduating class of 1948. She was delighted to meet them at the Old Country Buffet on the third Thursday of the month for lunch. They were known as the 48ers. Our Mother was a devote Catholic, who believed in the Lord and Savior and loved going to church. 

Max enjoyed bowling, playing cards, sewing and ceramics and she did many Word Search Books. Maxine enjoyed the company of her new friends she made while residing at the Oaks. 

Also, she looked forward to the musicians that would come and play at the birthday parties and without hesitation Maxine would be clapping her hands and tapping her feet to the music. Of all the games and activities that went on at the Oaks at Woodfield, Bingo was her favorite. Maxine always enjoyed being with her children, as well as her grandchildren, she loved them very much. Max will be sadly missed. 

Surviving are children, Cynthia (Joe) Salacuse, Gerald (Marilyn) Ballard, Susan (Buster) Collins, Judy (Richard) Tindall; 

grandchildren, Jennifer (Kendall) Thomas, Gerald (Tonya) Ballard, Kevin (Malissa) Ballard, Toby (Kelly) Smith, Magen(Keith) Ballenger and Nolan Blake; 

11 great-grandchildren;

several nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael Ballard and sister Barbara Edwards. 

Extended heartfelt thank you to everyone who cared for our Mother at the Oaks at Woodfield.