Maxine B. Finley, a North Carolina resident, formerly of Northern New York,  passed away suddenly, on July 13, 2021 after a brief illness.  She was 91 years young.

Maxine was born in Loretta Wisconsin to the late, Grant Brayton and the late Pauline Brayton.  Her mother passed when she was 18 years old and she helped raise her 2 brothers, working to help put one through college.  Soon after she was born her family relocated to the upstate NY area where they were dairy farmers, and she helped with milking and chores daily.    She is also predeceased by her brother, Donald Brayton and her late husband Thomas C. Finley who passed on in 2009.  They were married in 1960 and they enjoyed music and dancing together in their living room.  When they were younger, they also spent time square dancing, loved camping, being active in church, and tending a large garden where Maxine canned over 2,000 canned goods every year for her family.

Maxine was an avid reader of mostly true history and historical fiction; it was not uncommon for her to read three to four books per month. She absolutely loved animals and the latest was a Pomeranian named Pepe who she adored, who has found a new, loving home with family.  She was a very hard worker and expected the same from others around her.  Throughout her life she helped family members with food and any necessities they may need and was always kind and helping others, and she always stayed in touch with both relatives and friends right till her passing.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Leickert who resides in North Carolina in a nursing facility; her daughter, Katherine Kinney of Newport News VA; granddaughters; Shay Cuccarese of Annapolis MD, Jennifer Falcon from Seaford VA, and Heather Mendez of Williamsburg VA.  She is also survived by great grandchildren; Sofia Pearl Mendez 9, (who shared her middle name), Nico Falcon 9, Navy Aurora Cuccarese 3, and Mila Mendez 2, and many cousins and extended family.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday July 25, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434 with Rev. Wayne Gardner officiating.  Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.