Maxine Watt, passed away peacefully just before midnight on July 26, 2021 in the Palliative Care Unit of Nanaimo Hospital. Born June 23, 1931, in Sydney, Australia to Bertrand and Marian Hayden, she had just turned 90, an age she had aspired to for many years. Older sister to siblings Graham and Janelle, Maxine went to teachers’ college in New South Wales and soon thereafter started her teaching career. In 1959, she and husband Kevin (along with Janelle) came to Canada - sunny Prince Rupert, specifically - where they began to put down roots. After some time in Creston, they ultimately settled in Victoria, where Maxine taught commerce and business at Esquimalt and Spectrum High Schools.
Very much in love, Maxine and Kevin spent many happy years in Victoria (their house parties were famous!). Upon retirement, they moved to Duncan. When Kevin passed unexpectedly in 2005, Maxine soldiered on. To bring a bit of life to an empty apartment she adopted ‘Sugar’, her faithful Terrier who rarely left her side. She managed to see much of the world in later life, returning to Australia for a final visit and enjoying innumerable cruises, sailing the seven seas with her sister and nephew, a ginger and brandy never too far away.
In addition to Janelle and Graham (Joan), she is survived by her nieces and nephews Bradley, Cameron and Kirily (Canada) and Donna, Peter and Allison (Australia).
Maxine’s family would like to thank everyone at the Palliative Care Unit at NRGH for the care and attention she received during her final days. All of you are second to none.
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