Amherst, Maxine Brooks Marra of Amherst, Massachusetts, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, October 15, 2017. She was 94. She was attended by her loving caregiver and friend of more than five years, Gladys Kumi. During the time Gladys cared for Maxine, they developed a deep relationship based in kindness and good humor. Maxine and Gladys began and ended each day in prayer that was the source of great comfort to both.

Born on a small farm in Grass Lake, Michigan in March of 1923, Maxine was the fourth child of six born to Elizabeth (Bessie) and William Mix Brooks.  She attended the local one room schoolhouse. Later she taught at the same schoolhouse. Maxine continued her teaching career in post-war England.

She married Alan A. Marra in November of 1951 and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she raised three boys. The Marra family moved to Amherst, Massachusetts in 1972. 

After raising her family, Maxine returned to her teaching career.  In her forties she went to graduate school earning her Masters of Education from the University of Massachusetts. She taught Remedial Reading in the Northampton School system until she retired in 1998. Always a passionate reader, Maxine indulged in historical romance novels, which she described to her students as a guilty pleasure.

Maxine always enjoyed tending a garden. She and Alan kept a healthy and productive vegetable patch in addition to growing a variety of flowers that bloomed throughout the seasons.  Together they grew and harvested grapes, strawberries, blueberries, red and golden raspberries, blackberries, and currants, which were preserved into delicious jams and jellies.  Their many garden gifts were enjoyed by their sons, grandchildren, extended family, and friends.  She was at home in the kitchen and in addition to making family meals would frequently bake bread and cookies from scratch.

Maxine had a life-long interest in history and made a personal connection to it through the study of her own family history researching genealogical records as a hobby.

A talented seamstress, Maxine had a strong sense of style and kept up with the latest fashion in clothes she made herself. She was an avid conversationalist who had a sharp wit and a well-developed sense of humor, which she tended to share only with those who knew of it.  She loved to play the piano.  Both she and Alan were actively involved in the mental health community. 

Maxine is preceded by her eldest son, Daniel in October of 2011, and her husband of 51 years, Alan, in May of 2012. She is survived by sons Nicholas of South Hadley, his daughters Alexandra, Julia, Christina, and Samantha, and his wife, Leslie, and Franklin, of Amherst, his wife, Noelle, their sons, Collen, Arin and Quinton.

Funeral services will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Hadley on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst, following the services. A luncheon reception to honor and cherish fond memories of Maxine will be held at The Amherst Women’s Club. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, at www.nami.org in honor of Maxine B. Marra.