MAXINE L. GILLESPIE
DEXTER- Maxine L. Gillespie, 77, passed away August 29, 2010, at Dexter Health Care, with her loving children at her side. She was born at the family farm in Exeter, August 26, 1933, daughter of James E. and Hazel (Doyon) Leavitt.

She was a lifetime resident of the Exeter-Dexter community, and attended Corinna Union Academy High School. She worked at Dexter Shoe until 1975 when she returned to school, and attended the Continental School of Hair Design in Bangor, receiving her beautician's license in 1977. Maxine started the "His and Hers Hair Fashion" shop in her home in July of that year. She was active in her fashion shop for the next 33 years, until her retirement in March of 2010. She also worked the second shift at Hardwood Products, Pharmaceutical Division, in Guilford from 1990 to 1996.

She was married to James G. Gillespie on Oct. 6, 1951. She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Dexter, and attended many DeMolay, Masonic, and Anah Shrine functions with her husband. Maxine and Jim both enjoyed dancing and attended many weekly dances at the Blue Goose in Northport, with their best friends, Phil and Muriel Nelson. Maxine's life centered around her family, especially her children, and grandchildren, and ZJ, her Pomeranian companion of the past 6 years. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Hazel Leavitt and her husband, James Gillespie.

She is survived by a son, Wayne Gillespie and his wife, Cloris of Rialto, CA, grandson, James Edwards and his wife, Leslie, and great grandson, Michael; a son L. Walter Gillespie and his wife, Debra of Standish, and grandchildren, Christopher and Derek Gillespie; a daughter, Teresa Gillespie of Dexter , and granddaughter, Shannon Gillespie, of Old Town; a brother, Lewis Leavitt and his wife Velma of Exeter; a sister, Shirley Gray of Bangor; many nieces and nephews in the Bingham, Corinth, Exeter and Skowhegan areas.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Community Health and Counseling, and Dexter Health Care and staff, for the excellent care and guidance provided to Maxine over the past 6 months. They also would like to thank the many friends and family who visited her.

At Maxine's request, private services will be held at Crosby Neal in Dexter. Public graveside services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, September 2nd, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Dexter with Pastor A. Maurice Neal officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Charlotte White Center, 572 Bangor Road, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. For an online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.