Judy M. (Leask) Maxwell

It’s hard to put into words the impact that Judith Maxwell had on her family and friends.

She was a faithful wife, caring sister, devoted twin, engaged mother, doting grandmother, loving great grandmother and cheerful friend to all that were lucky enough to know her.

Judy was one of 11 siblings including Leora Sunderland, Wanda Foley, Joan Stevens, Orville Leask, Dorothy Spray, Angus Leask, John Leask, Monica Vallance, Grace Ann Doyle and Gerry Bussler. She was born Judith Mae Leask August 6, 1942 to Thomas and Adelaide Leask.  She passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 30 in the independent living wing of The Brook where she had spent the last year, smiling, laughing, bragging about her family, telling jokes and stories, connecting with old friends and making new ones.

Judy graduated from Cheboygan High School in 1961 and married her high school sweetheart Fred Maxwell on May 12, 1962.  Inseparable, you would rarely see Fred without Judy or Judy without Fred.  They were an incredible and loving team serving their friends, family and the community. Fred Maxwell passed away July 23, 2015.

Judy leaves behind a legacy of love, warm hugs, full bellies, dirty jokes, jewelry, holidays and weekly trips to Sally Annie’s “Salvation Army.”

Judy’s love language was food.  She always found a way to get you to eat one more bite. To finish the last cinnamon roll or take another scoop of her famous baked beans. It simply didn’t matter how full you were.  Her love of jewelry dates back to her days working alongside Joan and Jerry Rogers at Rogers Jewelry Store.  Its widely debated whether she ever got an actual paycheck or if it all went towards jewelry that she sprinkled around to her kids and grandkids.

Judy loved the holidays, especially Christmas.  Having worked at the Mackinaw City Christmas Store for several years, she had accumulated a virtual treasure trove of holiday cheer.  Christmas at the Maxwell house was filed with love, energy, bottomless beverages and little and big bodies strewn about every flat surface. It was the definition of family.

For everything you know about the full and impactful life of Judy Maxwell, there is one story that few know.  While at a wedding reception several years ago, she saved the life of Cheboygan resident Dale Bur by calmly performing the Heimlich maneuver while he choked on a piece of steak.  Her reward from Dale:  A gift certificate for a steak dinner for two.

Family members reflecting on, and celebrating the impact that she had on their lives included her three daughters Camy (Tom) Watson, Carman (Mark) Winter, Cassie (John) Watson, her son Fred Maxwell, twin sister Gerry (Tim) Bussler, grandchildren Trent (Erin) Watson, Gera (Kavon) Frazier, Trey Watson, Grace (Lukas) Buck, Maxwell Watson, Isabel Watson, Sydney Winter, Kate Winter, great grandchildren Kali, Alayah and Kyler Frazier and Lyra and Julian Watson, sister-in-law Mary Charboneau, brother and sister-in-law George and Lissa Maxwell, nephews Tom, Tim and Travis Bussler and many more nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Judy’s life with family and friends will be held on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at the Nordman-Christian Funeral Home.  The celebration is followed by a luncheon at Spare Time Lanes at 2pm, where Judy and Fred participated in bowling leagues for many years.  Those wanting to share a memory are invited to do so at stonefuneralhomeinc.com.  For those wishing to make a gift in Judy’s honor, please consider supporting the Cheboygan Salvation Army, 444 S. Main St.  Cheboygan, MI 49721. Your donation will stay local.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judy M. (Leask) Maxwell, please visit our floral store.