Bye Bye Birdie!

Wednesday, September 21, 2005 marks the end of an earthly journey for a special woman in the Maxwell family. Grandma Perk (short for Perkins, the name of her second husband) passed away in St. George, Utah while being cared for in an adult living center.

My brothers and sister didn't have too many chances to visit with Grandma Perk because of distance and our own personal shuffling of time, but the opportunities we did have to be around her were filled with laughter and love. I had some amazing visits with her while living in St. George for a time. Though stricken with Alzheimer's in the latter years of her long life, I could see her fun and endearing personality trying to burst out of the illness.

I remember as a small child, around 9 or 10, going to visit her and our Maxwell family of cousins and such. We always went to Lake Mead and she always made sure the kids were taken care of (which was needed in a fam with tease-happy uncles!). At this particular family reunion, we were at the lake and Uncle Rodger was throwing us into the water; suddenly G'ma Perk starting getting after him when he started heckling one of us (too long ago to remember which one...it happened so often!!!). She also got a kick out of the little 'fashion show' we younger kids put on in Joyce & Doug's home -Joyce had a HUGE box full of old clothes that the kids always rummaged through -I have to say that I didn't recognize myself 20 or so years later when watching a video of that reunion. ==>and Rodger STILL doesn't let me live that down!

The title of the post refers to a nickname G'ma Perk had -Birdie; her first name being Alberta, everyone knew her as Birdie.

Grandma, you will be missed you are so loved. I am glad to know that you are now free from the physical chains of your illness, but even moreso that you can now be with ALL your family and be a strength for all of us.

I love you and will miss you.
Your grandson,
Kevin Maxwell

Welcome to the family

We were raised in a small farming town on the (what used to be far) outskirts of Boise, Idaho. While growing up, Kuna was very very small -it seemed like everyone knew everyone else. Now, I notice most people pretty much know their neighbors -and some don't bother to know them.

Our parents raised 7 kids -6 boys and 1 girl (and she was smack dab in the middle!). I'd say "poor girl" but she whooped on me plenty so she don't get no sympathy now!!! Sorry, sis!! haha.

Through the years we've had some wonderful experiences and some tremendous battles, but the 7 of us have come through it with love and determination. We all stay in contact and are trying to hold some sort of reunion every 3 or 4 years, as circumstances permit.

I want to make sure this first post is dedicated to the woman who bound not only our family together, but what seems in some way the old Kuna community. Our mother, Kathleen Maxwell, was an Avon Rep., a Tupperware Rep., and was called on for numerous occasions to make & decorate some gorgeous wedding cakes. From what I have gathered from those that knew her, she was a kind, loving, and determined woman. I owe my life to her and am thankful for the very short time I was able to have known her. Thanks Mom!