Obituary of Ethel G. Maxam

Chestertown: Ethel Gertrude Maxam, 87, of Foster Flats Road, Chestertown, passed away Thursday, February 21, at Glens Falls Hospital after a long and fulfilling life, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on November 4, 1920, in Warrensburg, as the daughter of the late Orlie and Maude (Reynolds) Potter. She married Gerald H. Maxam on June 1, 1947. They were married for 58 years until his death in November, 2005. Ethel was a kind, gentle, generous, and compassionate woman with a courageous spirit and passion for life. She loved her birds, butterflies, and flowers, and was a “good cooker,” as her grandchildren told her. She enjoyed baking her special homemade orange rolls and cinnamon buns. She liked making other people happy. Her home was her pride as was her family for whom she had endless love. She was the epitome of a devoted homemaker, mother, wife, and grandmother. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by four sisters: Ruth Pratt, Myrtle Wood, Bertha Carpenter, and June Potter. Her three brothers William, John, and Orlie Potter, along with her beloved granddog, Pupper, have also predeceased her. She is survived by two daughters: June Maxam of Chestertown; Janet Agard and her husband, Richard of Chestertown; three grandchildren: Cindy Bailey and her husband, Richard of Warrensburg; Becky Otruba and her husband, Richard of Chestertown; Keith Agard of Chestertown; three great-grandchildren: Bethany Bailey, Brandon Bailey, and Austin Otruba, along with many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to her caregivers at Eden Park Nursing Home and Dr. McDonough of the Glens Falls Hospital emergency room. There are no calling hours scheduled. Graveside services will be conducted in the spring at the Chester Rural Cemetery in Chestertown at a time to be announced. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the North Warren Emergency Squad, PO Box 323, Chestertown, NY 12817. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book and condolences.