Obituary of Maxine Northrop Richmond

Maxine Northrop Richmond

Anita Maxine was born to Ralph and Clara (Peters) Northrop in 1931. Maxine was 91 when she passed away on November 22, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She had resided in Sister Annette House at the Episcopal Church Home for the last two years as her Parkinson’s Disease became more debilitating.

Maxine grew up in Arlington, Virginia with her younger siblings: Ralph and twin sisters Donna and Dolores. She was married to Roy George Richmond Jr. from 1953 to 1994. They raised three children together, Ann, Ginny and Cathy.

Maxine received a BA in elementary education from The George Washington University in 1953. When her children were older she worked for the Christian Humanism Project at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. She was inspired by exchange students that lived with her family to learn more about other parts of the world. After raising her children, she earned a master’s degree in Latin American Studies, a program she designed herself, from St. Cloud State University. The program included a semester in Colombia. She then worked at the Center for Global Education at Augsburg University, where among other things, she helped plan and lead several groups to Mexico and Central America.

Maxine and her family were members of St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. Cloud, from 1969 to 1986. Throughout her adult life she was very active in the Episcopal Church, singing in the choir and serving on the altar guild. Later as a member of St. James on the Parkway in Minneapolis, she sang in the choir, read lessons and prayers, served on the vestry and various committees, and volunteered at the food pantry.
 

Maxine was a lifelong learner and enjoyed many Elderhostel programs. In her 70s she moved to Becketwood in Minneapolis, MN, a wonderful cooperative living community, where she engaged in a variety of activities. Her interests included reading, jigsaw puzzles, theater, classical music, time at the family cabin, cross-country skiing, bird watching and gardening. Maxine was very active into her 80s including biking and walking. She had a sweet tooth and especially loved ice cream. She passed along her Northrop family’s love of popcorn to her children. 

Maxine was known for never saying a bad word about anyone, for being very kind, and for the sparkle in her eyes. She was loved by her family, friends and caregivers. Her family is grateful for the care she received from Joyful Companions, NeighborCare and Sister Annette House in her final years. She was a loving mother and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her brother, Ralph Northrop Jr. and wife Fifa; daughter Ginny Richmond and husband Paul Mack of Meadowlands, Minnesota; daughter Cathy Sturtevant and husband Lee of Concord, New Hampshire; grandchildren Caitlin Richmond, Jonathan Richmond and his wife Courtney; and great grandchildren Kyle and Nicholas, as well as nieces and nephews. She is also survived by former exchange student Claudia (Fuentealba) Swanton, husband Glen and their extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Clara Northrop, her daughter Ann, and twin sisters Donna and Dolores.

The Celebration of Life for Maxine is going to be  Saturday, January 21st at 1:00 pm CDT at Sts Luke and James Episcopal Church in Minneapolis.

4557 Colfax Ave S, 

Minneapolis, MN 55419

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to Sts. Luke & James Episcopal Church in Minneapolis, Episcopal Homes Foundation in St. Paul, MN, or Parkinson’s Foundation.