MAXINE BENNETT GIBERSON, HOULTON – Maxine Bennett Giberson, 102, died on January 17, 2018, at Houlton Regional Hospital following a brief illness and a long, healthy, and fulfilling life spanning more than a century. She was born on August 12, 1915, in Wytopitlock, the daughter of Laforest and Nellie Bennett. After graduating from Danforth High School where she excelled in sports, she graduated from Castine Normal School, where she trained to become a teacher.
In her first year of teaching, Maxine met her future husband, Hamilton Giberson, who was also a teacher at Tapley School in Oakland. While Hamilton was in the Middle East and North Africa during World War II, Maxine taught in Beverly, MA. Hamilton and Maxine were married at the Danforth Methodist Church on August 11, 1946. Their reception was at the family’s cottage at Hot Brook Lake in Danforth. Over decades, they hosted many friends and family, creating many cherished memories while watching a spectacular sunset over Hot Brook Lake from the cottage porch.
The Gibersons worked as educators, with Maxine working as a first and third grade teacher and Hamilton becoming Superintendent of Schools in Calais. For fourteen years, Maxine was a beloved third grade teacher in Houlton, where Hamilton was the Superintendent of Schools. The pair retired in 1977.
Retirement gave Maxine and Hamilton freedom to travel, allowing them to explore Canada by train and motor coach and venturing to China with a group of educators. Together, they explored England, Scotland, Alaska, and Hawaii. As snowbirds wintering in Florida, their yearly migration took them to every state in the nation. After Hamilton’s death in 1993 and until 2013, Maxine continued to split her time between Holiday, FL, and Houlton/Hot Brook Lake in Maine.
After 2013, at the age of 97, Maxine made her home at the Madigan assisted living residences in Houlton. Back “home” in Houlton, Maxine’s contributions as an educator were very apparent. Many former students remember her fondly and have reached out to maintain friendships. Maxine has made her mark, inspiring others with her positive outlook, engagement with others and the community, and her active, vibrant life.
She is survived by several of Maxine and Hamilton’s family members, including Richard Worth of Signal Mountain, TN (son of Maxine’s niece, the late Dorothy Worth), nephew, Parker Tyler of Skowhegan, niece, Olive Niles Shu of Dunedin, FL, and Travis Tyler and Chelsea Tyler of Boston, MA (children of the late Mark Toby Tyler, nephew). She is also fondly remembered by many friends, neighbors, and former students.
In accordance with Maxine’s wishes, there will be a graveside service at Danforth Cemetery at the time of interment. The date will be determined. Arrangements are in care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton. On Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. friends were invited to gather to remember Maxine at Madigan Assisted Living Apartments, 20 Lee Court, Houlton.
If you have been inspired by Maxine’s life, her family encourages you to make a contribution in Maxine’s memory to the benefit of the Houlton High School Alumni Association Endowment Fund, the Cary Library in Houlton, the Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation, the United Methodist Church of Houlton or to a charity of your choice in c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at: www.dunnfuneral.com
