Mary Maxwell

Maxwell, Mary

Madison-Mary Amanda Wee Maxwell, age 85, died December 28, 2020 at Agrace HospiceCare from lung cancer.

Mary was born in Madison Dec. 19,1935 to Elizabeth and Rev. Morris Wee, the pastor of Bethel Lutheran.

She was the oldest of 4 siblings. Mary spent much of her childhood in Madison.  She was valedictorian at Duluth East HS, earned her BA at St. Olaf College, 1957. She received her MS in social work from UW Madison, June 8, 1959.

On that same day she married Kenneth T. Maxwell. They had 3 children. The Maxwells lived in Nigeria for 2 years, then built a home in Mt. Horeb, WI where they lived for 40 years. Mary worked for the Madison Schools as a social worker until retiring in 1993. They resided at Oakwood Village in Madison for the last 8 yrs.

Mary was passionate about stewardship of the earth and education, volunteering at Madison School Forest and local nature areas.  Mary was a lifelong learner, reading voraciously and traveling globally. Her favorite place on this earth was the family cabin at Kabekona Lake in MN. There she enthusiastically sailed, canoed and swam. Spirituality was an important part of her life and she treasured her church community. She lived a healthy lifestyle and enjoyed gardening and walking. She fiercely loved her family and friends and maintained written communications regularly.

Mary is survived by her husband, Kenneth, daughters Elizabeth (Michael) Jorde of Redding, CA, Amy (Shawn) Sheley of Elroy, WI, AFS son, Ken Kamiti; brothers, David Wee (Karen Herseth) and Morris Wee (Kristine Carlson); grandchildren, Kristan and Sara Jorde, Maxwell and Everett Winters, LeeAnn and Elyssa Sheley, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Scott Maxwell, brother Daniel Wee, and his wife Kristin Wee.

Her body has been donated to UW for medical education.

A virtual memorial service will be held January 10, 2021 at 11:30. Find the link at themcc.net.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Advent Lutheran Church, Friends of Madison School Forest or any charity dear to you.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406