Maxine Margaret Smith (Moloney)

life story

Max with her granddaughter April and a couple of her great grands-Landon & Lily.

Smith, Maxine Margaret (Moloney) Born- July 23, 1930. Born to eternal life-January 31, 2023.Preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Estelle Moloney, loving husband, business and travel partner, Edward M. Smith, sister, Patricia/Gordon Sevlie, niece Heather Moloney Freeman, several dear cousins and first husband Richard Fowler Woodley. Survived by brother, Thomas/Barbara Moloney. Children, Colleen Woodley, Ron Smith, Christine Severiano, Rebecca Smith. Other dear people of her circle, Jeanne, Bill, Gail, Jorge, Ellie. Grandchildren, Erica, April, Angela and Ana. Great grandchildren, Elly, Tyler, Jake, Lily, Landon, Holly and Lydia. Also survived by her dear flock of close cousins, beloved nephews and nieces, Jim, Bill, Christian, Carol, Lisa, Kimberly, Maura, great nephews and nieces. Endless and sincere gratitude to the caring staffs of Lyngblomsten and Allina Hospice. Funeral service TBA following all clippers bomb cyclones and vortices.

Maxine was born and spent the majority of her long life in St Paul. She was a proud graduate of Monroe High School and attended The College of St Catherine.

Maxine spent a summer working in Glacier Park following her college days.

It was there that she realized her fear of high places so no mountain climbing since then.

She worked for Minnesota Mutual for the first years of her twenties. Her next career was centered at Charles T Miller Hospital. She spent eleven years there working the night shift in the admitting office and helping in other departments when needed.

Following her days at Miller, Maxine joined the staff at the Internist’s office of Doctors Weis, Ubel, & Gilsdorf. She enjoyed working as their business office manager.

Following her careers in healthcare, Max started a wholesale operation in the tropical fish and bird business . She owned, managed and grew “Capital City Hatchery” for over twenty years. During these years, she worked long hours, (too long, way too long!) and traveled all over the state of Minnesota, the Midwest, the U.S. and beyond. She and her husband Ed visited Australia, South America, Europe, and finally, Africa, where they spent a long stint in Kenya with her cousin, Sr. Ramona Meurer.

Due to her keen business sense and relentless work ethic, Maxine was active in St Paul government serving on the Capital Improvement Commission in the seventies and eighties. She received an award for being “Business Person of the Year” from the East 7th Business Association.

After her work in the pet business, civic planning, and helping with the books of her husband Ed’s electric business, Maxine considered retirement. She and Ed decided to move their home to Branson Missouri.

As they settled into their new home, it became clear that these two were not cut out for relaxation and retirement.

So they opened a retail store and lamp repair shop aka-The Lampsmith. The store continued to be their main avocation for over ten years.

After decades of very hard work, Edward and Maxine began to show some wear and tear and finally slow down. Ed lived his final days being cared for by the capable and caring staff at the Veterans Home in Mount Vernon Missouri. Maxine was able to live in a beautiful home right across the street during Ed’s care.

After she lost her dear husband Edward, Maxine moved back to St. Paul. She enjoyed her time and social life at the Erie St Cottages for five years before moving to the Lyngblomsten Apartments. after a serious fall Max moved into the Continuous Care at Lyngblomsten. She enjoyed sharing stories and getting to know the great staff there. Despite her inability to walk and care for herself, Maxine found the grace and courage to live her last two years gratefully and (generally) patiently as her strength declined.

She died by her own typically, planned exit on January 31st. She wanted to go, was anxious to join her Edward and her other loved ones in Heaven.

Celebration of Maxine’s life will be held on Saturday May 13th. There will be a visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00.

The services will be held at Holy Presence Catholic Community which is located within the

St Paul’s United Church of Christ at 900 Summit Avenue

in St Paul.

Burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be Monday May 15th.

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