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Maxine Mary Maksim Orsina, affectionately known as Max, passed away on Feb. 19 after a short but difficult fight with bacterial meningitis, perhaps the only fight she ever lost. She is survived by her loving husband Paul, son John, daughter Jessica Eve, daughter-in-law Jess Rod, granddaughter Isla, and grandsons Paul August and John Lawrence.

Maxine was a voracious reader, sun worshiper, gardener, collector of majolica, and there wasn’t a piece of jewelry she didn’t love, the bigger the better, much to her husband’s dismay. Not one for technology, she believed in the art of hand written letters and sealed every envelope with her lipstick kiss. Max’s curiosity for life was like no other. She would talk for hours on end with her close friends and always asked about her children’s friends, wanting to know their latest news so she could celebrate in their victories. She was equally drawn to strangers and had a special way of getting them to open up. No questions were ever off limits.

She never left the house without perfume, sunglasses, and lipstick and was always the most stylish person in the room. There was no one funnier, more loyal, generous, and opinionated than Max, and she shared those opinions whether asked for them or not. People were drawn to her, always wondering what she would say or do next.

Maxine’s favorite things were visiting her daughter in New York City, going to museums with her son, her yearly visit to the Brimfield antique show with her best friend Kathy, her little dog Maggie, and yelling “Paul” no less than 100 times a day.

In the last years, what gave her the most joy were her beautiful grandchildren Isla, Paul, and John-John. She was lucky enough to live a stone’s throw away from them. Getting them off the bus every Tuesday and babysitting “the little shits” as much as possible was the brightest light in her life.

Max-a-Million was one of a kind and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends. They find peace knowing she will be looking down on them with her beautiful blue eyes, always watching, and judging.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westbrook Public Library, (61 Goodspeed Dr., Westbrook, CT 06498) a place near and dear to her heart (and to make up for all of her late fees). Thank you, Lew Daniels and Mary Nyman for never cutting up her library card.

Calling hours were held on Feb. 24 at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Feb. 25 in St. Mark the Evangelist Church, McVeagh Road, Westbrook. Burial followed in Cypress Cemetery, Westbrook.