Christine Anderson Maclin

Christine Anderson Maclin, 74
PORTLAND - Christine Anderson Maclin of Portland, owner of Maclin Design, died on Jan. 22, 2016 after living with pancreatic cancer for two and a half years. She was a dedicated wife, successful entrepreneur, loving mother and grandmother. Christine had an exuberant and outgoing personality and loved the challenges that life presented, forever exhibiting a positive attitude that inspired those around her. Her breadth of interest was all encompassing: reading, travel, new languages, color, fabric, science, religion, communication and most of all other people!
Christine grew up in Massachusetts, attended Weymouth High School and graduated from William Smith College in Geneva, New York with a Bachelor of Arts in 1959. She created a path to success as a decorator, starting out by owning a small shop with partners in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania then a shop called "Tree House" in Winchester, Virginia. In 1979, she developed Maclin Design, Inc. in Portland and worked with a wide range of clients in Maine and around the world.
A major change in her life was living in Manila, Philippines, from 1986 to 1989, where her husband Waite Maclin was Training Director for the United States Peace Corps. Working and traveling extensively in Asia was "a revelation," she said. The experience helped her develop an aesthetic view of functional practicality with the sophisticated simplicity of Swedish design with which she grew up.
Throughout her life, Christine exhibited a powerful curiosity about the people and places she encountered. Everyone close to her can recount stories of her saying numerous times "I met the most interesting person today," as she launched into a story about someone who served her lunch or a buyer at the Boston Interior Design building.
Christine loved her craft and strove for client satisfaction and took personal pride in a job well done. She formed strong bonds with and enjoyed the professionalism and friendship of all the men and women with whom she worked.
Along with a strong sense of intellectual curiosity she relished the idea of having fun every day. In her work and in personal time, she enjoyed and celebrated life and her relationships. Everyone who knew her was aware that when Christine arrived, the party started.
Over the past weeks, so many of her clients have told her of how she has created spaces where they live that reflect her amazing creative spirit. They will forever have her remarkable presence surrounding them with peace, beauty and strength. One client has written: "Thank you for creating two beautiful homes for us. They are cozy and nurturing where we can be quiet and still or productive and generous."
Here is what one young friend said: "Christine, You are an amazing and vibrant woman who I have always admired and enjoyed being in your company. Witty and sharp and quick to laugh, are a few of many things I love about you. You're interesting and interested which is rare these days. I love you."
Conspicuously displayed over her office desk was the motto she lived by: "Never Give Up, Don't Make Excuses, Have Fun!"
Christine is survived by her husband of 36 years, Charles Waite Maclin of Portland; her two sons, Shepherd Ladley Husted of Portland, Thomas Kristian Husted, his wife Shalimar Sulisto of Jakarta, Indonesia and their two children, Rania and Alan; her brother, Eric Anderson and his wife, Cynthia Ciani Anderson of Belfast and their two children, Ruth Anderson Lang of East Palo Alto, California and Jane Anderson of Millis, Massachusetts; her sister Elizabeth Anderson and her husband Mark Keil of Andover, Massachusetts and their son, Lars Keil of Providence, Rhode Island; her aunt Barbara Lawry Weber of Honolulu,HI; her cousins David Wirkala of Yarmouth, Alan Wirkala of Waterbury, Connecticut, Paula Weber Herr of Nairobi, Kenya, Allan Battistini of Southport, Linda Battistini Poulin of Braintree, Massachusetts, Else-Marie Ostling of Gävle, Sweden, Celeste Roberts of Honolulu, Hawaii; Barbara Weber of Los Gatos, CA; James and John Weber of Honolulu, Hawaii and Mark Weber of Gray, Tennessee. Christine was predeceased by her cousin, Gail Weber, formerly of Winchester, Massachusetts.
A celebratory memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Cathedral, 143 State Street in Portland on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at 1 p.m. Following the service, at Christine's request we will have a party in her honor at the Cumberland Club, 116 High Street. Parking is available behind the Cathedral on Park Street; this same parking lot is shared by the Cumberland Club. Arrangements are under the direction of
Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home
, 172 State Street, Portland. To view Christine's memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com.

Christine has asked that
in lieu of flowers, contributions be
made to the following charities:
Reiche PTO Green Team
Reiche School
166 Brackett St.
Portland, ME 04102
Preble Street Resource Center
5 Portland Street
Portland, ME 04101
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101