Maxine McIntyre

Although her life was filled with numerous precious things and experiences, there was nothing that was more near and dear to the heart of Maxine McIntyre than the love of her Savior. She knew how to be content whether living with plenty or in want as the Lord was her strength in all things. Maxine was a natural teacher and nurturer who exemplified that being a teacher is truly a matter of the heart. A devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother and great-grandmother, her family was second only to her faith. According to Maxine’s own account of her life, she felt truly blessed to have spent her journey serving God. She will be missed for her tenacious spirit, her drive to succeed, and her beautiful musical abilities, but it will be her unwavering and unconditional love and acceptance for those around her that will be missed most.

The vibrant days of the Roaring Twenties brought us more affordable cars, motion pictures in both color and sound, and conveniences like the washing machine and refrigerator during a time of great prosperity. It was during this exciting time that Gerritt and Grace (Miller) Takens were blessed with the birth of a baby girl on August 18, 1923. Maxine Louise was one of two children in her family, raised alongside her older brother, Bruce, and also with her Grandmother Miller who lived with them in the family home in East Grand Rapids.

From her earliest years Maxine was a bustle of activity. Although she was too young to take lessons herself, she took an interest in piano when she was only three and accompanied her brother to his lessons. In many ways Maxine grew up too fast as she was required to help around the house and care for her mother who had cancer and wanted to remain at home. In addition, she held down her studies and worked. As she grew older her piano skills blossomed, and they were so much more than reading music as Maxine made the music come to life. They were members of Wealthy Street Baptist Church, and she played for Youth for Christ and Calvary Church in addition to services and events in her own church.

After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School in 1941, Maxine went on to earn her teaching degree from Calvin College in just two years. She began teaching and also attended Wheaton College and earned her master’s degree from the University of Michigan.

Maxine and her mom began attending Calvary Church before her mother’s death, and while there her mother made a note to point out a young man she felt was a good one. His name was Robert McIntyre, and although he wasn’t normally Maxine’s type they struck up a conversation. True love blossomed, and they were married on June 22, 1950. They enjoyed a honeymoon out West during the summer and soon moved to Indiana where he could finish his last two years in the seminary.

While in Indiana Maxine went back to teaching. It was just as the school year was ending that they welcomed their son, David. They soon returned back to Grand Rapids where Maxine taught piano and organ at Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. As their family grew to include two more children, Mary and Daniel, Maxine knew that she wanted to embark on a new career path that would allow her to use her God-given talents combined with her love for children.

Maxine’s dream took shape after she spent some time working in a daycare center. She and Bob built a house on Collindale with a nursery school built in. Maxine then formed the first licensed nursery school of its kind in Michigan. Her desire was to instruct children while showing them the love of Christ while encouraging them to be all that He called them to be. The children in Maxine’s care received all sorts of practical training like setting a table, playing instruments, and appreciating the animals God gives us through being with Carmel Corn the pony and Gem the dog.

In her time off work, Maxine and her family began spending time at Houghton Lake. They later bought a cottage there after she began dividing her time between her nursery school and an additional job with Grand Rapids Public Schools. Maxine was amazing as she always had dinner on the table including Sunday dinner complete with the fine china. Her baking skills were also fantastic, and her grandchildren will forever remember her sticky buns. Maxine looked forward to relaxed summers at the cottage and loved it when the whole family could be there.

Throughout their retirement years Maxine and Bob enjoyed traveling including memorable trips to Hawaii and Alaska in addition to winters spent at Maranatha Retirement Community in Florida. Maxine also treasured spending time with her grandchildren and being their biggest encourager in everything they did. Things became more difficult when Bob was diagnosed with cancer, which required numerous life changes. They moved to Houghton Lake and later to their daughter’s home in Sparta. Maxine was deeply saddened with Bob’s death in 2001. She again faced times of trial with the death of her son a few years ago. A bright spot during her later years was in 2005 when she was able to record her music on CD, and she loved sharing it with others.

During her sunset years Maxine moved to Covenant Village where she met several new people and enjoyed forming friendships and socializing. She loved accompanying other residents as they played instruments including her friend Len who played the harmonica while she played the piano. Maxine also played for residents as they were entering the dining hall for dinner including on the day before her death.

A woman who was always on the go, Maxine McIntyre lived life to the fullest each day. She was a pioneer as a woman in business who achieved great things, but nothing made her more proud than her beloved family. Maxine wasn’t afraid to share her faith and was continually nurturing others into reaching their full potential. Her love for her family was unmatched, and her desire to love the Lord through serving others was an inspiration to all who were within her reach. Maxine will never be forgotten.

MC INTYRE - Maxine McIntyre, beloved mother, grandmother, nonna and friend met Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior on January 24, 2014 at the age 90. She had a determined heart for the Lord and was blessed with a vivacious personality. She loved children and owned Collindale Nursery School for over 35 years. She had a passion for playing the piano, sharing her artistry and teaching others. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2001; her son, David McIntyre, and her brother Bruce Takens. Maxine is survived by her children: Mary and David Engelsman, Daniel and Dorcas McIntyre, Andrea McIntyre; grandchildren Jon and Kathryn Engelsman, James Engelsman, Krista and Scott Miller, Elise McIntyre, Jessica McIntyre, Keith Perez and Nathaniel McIntyre; and her great granddaughter, Hannah Engelsman. A service to remember and celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, January 29 at 1 PM in the chapel at Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, 2510 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Tuesday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, memorial contributions to The Other Way Ministries. To read more about her life, to share a favorite memory or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com