Maxine King

On a picture-perfect Spring day in March 1953, Dorothy Averett welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Maxine Lowisa, into the world. Except much to everyone's surprise, Maxine's entrance was followed only a few minutes later by her twin brother Max's debut. A shock so great that legend has it their father, Max, passed out and hit the floor when he heard the news that the single name sake he'd been expecting was actually two.

Maxine loved her twin brother and loved being a twin. She described the two of them as mirror images of each other. Boy and girl. Max left-handed, Maxine, right. Max musically gifted, Maxine more academic. The two of them, different in so many ways, but inseparably bonded.

Sadly, the twins' time together was far too short. Although Maxine entered the world first, Max was first to leave it, tragically killed in a car accident at the young age of 17. Maxine's heart forever broken by the loss of her other half.

Maxine went on to marry Richard Lynn Mecham. They had two children, Roxeanne Lowisa and Max Davis, then divorced. Maxine's children were her pride and joy. She raised them as a single mother, which would be a challenge for anyone, but for Maxine, life came with some extra hurdles. Her son suffered serious health issues and often spent days and even weeks in the hospital. It all must have been overwhelming, but she weathered it with strength and love. Maxine didn't have the support of a spouse by her side, but thankfully, she was never really alone. Her mother, sister, and brothers played an enormous role in her little family's lives.

Maxine never had much, but she knew how to make the most of the little she had. She made everything special. Looking back, it's clear she must have scrimped and sacrificed all year to make things like Christmas morning magical for her children. She'd wrap every pair of socks, every pair of underwear separately just to make that Christmas morning surprise more grand and more exciting. She brought that same magic to Christmas for her grandchildren. None of us will ever celebrate that holiday without thinking of her.

And speaking of Christmas, Maxine loved it. Probably more than the average person. Her Christmas tree went up as early and came down as late as possible. You could gaze at its iconic multi-colored lights and eclectic collection of ornaments every day of the Christmas season and you'd probably still spot something you hadn't seen before.

The soundtrack of Maxine's life is stacked with Christmas songs. Anne Murray and John Denver were favorites, especially the John Denver rendition of "Silver Bells." In fact, she loved that song so much that she insisted "Silver Bells" be played at her funeral no matter the season, and so it will be.

Maxine loved fiercely, but it did take her a few attempts to find her prince. She always said that when she did find him, "he came in the form of a king." Edwin Duane King, to be exact, and Ed was the love of her life. Ed knew just how to work with her feisty personality, and he brought the perfect amount of calm to balance out all of that sass. Ed also brought another little bit of joy to the family: his daughter, Amanda Afton. Amanda and Maxine were born on the same day, kindred spirits from the beginning.

If there was anything Maxine and Ed could have possibly loved more than their children, it would only have been their grandchildren, Mele, Sydnee, Phoebe, Emil, Shelby, Max and Aspen. All of the Fourth of July parades, reindeer food, sneaking sips of grandma's Diet Coke, and Grandpa's cough drops from his nightstand. The memories could fill a book but are instead written deeply in their hearts. And then there was Simon. The scrappy little Yorkie that Ed and Maxine loved like their own baby. Surely no dog has ever been more adored or spoiled.

Ed and Maxine enjoyed the good times together and weathered the tough times, and times did get hard. Maxine's health started to decline early, but through their trials, Ed's love for Maxine only grew. His decades of doting and compassionate care for her stand as one of the most Christ-like examples of service our family has known.

Age and illness withered and shrank Maxine's body, but definitely not her sailor's vocabulary or her personality. That was always huge. Her love for long red nails, her red hair, and her ever-present mug of Diet Coke. Her obsession with Ford Mustangs, military fighter jets, cable television, and biopics. Her enormous collection of elephant figurines and her even bigger collection of jewelry -- all trademarks of this remarkable, spitfire of a woman. What person would wear a chunky costume jewelry ring on their deathbed? Maxine would.

And, as she lay on that hospital bed, her long red nails perfectly painted, another spring day dawned, and Maxine's mother waited once again to welcome her daughter. This time, to the other side of the veil. After reminiscing as a family, lots of hugs and pouring out of love, laughter and tears, listening to old songs together, and even a few "F" words when she got particularly annoyed (and maybe even sometimes just for fun), Maxine left this world and the pain of her earthly body behind. What a glorious reunion with her loved ones must be underway right now. They're so lucky to have her.

Maxine Lowisa Averett King

March 27, 1953 - April 4, 2025

"I love you the most!"

Maxine was preceded in death by a beautiful baby granddaughter, Aurora, her mother Dorothy Ellen Averett, her father Max Earl Averett, her twin brother Max Averett, her brother Dean (Tori) Averett, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Afton King.

She is survived by her husband Edwin King, daughters Roxeanne (Pisinga) Vainuku, and Amanda King, and son Max Mecham. Her grandchildren, Mele (Rylee) Gautavai, Sydnee (Korey) Warner, Phoebe Vainuku, P. Emil Vainuku, Shelby McKean, Max Vainuku and Aspen Linam. Her great-grandchildren, Bodhi Warner, Taualai Gautavai, Charlie Warner, Scarlett Jenson, twins Emil and Makamae Gautavai, Arlo Eliason, and Navy Warner.

Her sister Gloria (Steve) Healey, brothers Tracy Averett and Ernest Averett, sister-in-law Tori (Dean) Averett, and many nieces and nephews.

We certainly couldn't leave out her dearest and lifelong friend, Debbie Atkinson. It's just like you said, Debbie: Now she will look out for your son, and you will look out for hers.

Our family wishes to thank everyone for their love, support, and kindness during this difficult time. You have brought us light during our darkest hour. We also want to extend our gratitude to the McKay-Dee Hospital intensive care unit staff. Thank you for helping navigate our loving wife, mother, and grandmother's passing.

Funeral services will be heldMonday, April 14, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood road. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service.

Interment, Larkin sunset Gardens, 10600 South 1950 East, Sandy, Utah

Join us virtually at: https://vimeo.com/event/5063553