Maxine McDonald

Maxine Rae McDonald (nee Scamehorn) entered our Lord’s heavenly kingdom on Feb. 26, 2015 following a courageous seven-year battle with cancer. Right up to the end of her life Maxine happily lived in her own home and attended to her own needs which was very important to her as an independent and high-spirited woman. Maxine died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Fountain Hills.

Maxine was born in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Sept. 19, 1936 to Max and Edith (Barry) Scamehorn. Following the death of her mother when Maxine was just two years old, she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Mabel and Everett Scamehorn of Traverse City, Mich.

As a young woman Maxine excelled in her schoolwork and was a talented pianist, vocalist, and dancer. Maxine graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1954 and later that year married Burton Irish who had returned from serving in the Army-Air Force. Of this union were born five children, Debra, Steven, Cynthia, Brenda, and Julie.

Maxine was an accomplished bookkeeper for many professional offices, working from her home while her children were young then working outside of the home as her children grew older. Maxine’s bookkeeping skills and business savvy served to help build the family business Irish Refrigeration.

In 1984, Maxine made Fountain Hills her permanent home. In her later years Maxine enjoyed travel, fine dining, and most of all spending time with her family and friends.

Maxine is preceded in death by her parents, her aunt and uncle, her husband, and her brother, Dr. Robert Moulton of Berkeley, Calif.

Surviving Maxine are her five children, thirteen grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren who knew Maxine as “Nana.” Her children and grandchildren include Debra Irish Walthorn and her children, Michael Piechocki, David Piechocki, and Kaylee Walthorn; Steven and Sue Irish and children, Holly Spencer, Travis Irish, and Sarah Irish, Cynthia Bautista and her children, Tony Wineman, David Wineman, and Robert Wineman, Brenda Irish Heintzelman and her children, Brandon Heintzelman, Jennifer (Heintzelman) Potvin, and Daniel Heintzelman, and Julie Zeigler and her daughter, Ashley Zeigler.

Maxine’s great-grandchildren include Michael and Jacob Piechocki, Adeline and Harper Piechocki, Jack, Owen, and Luke Spencer, Corbin and Cadence Irish, Addison, Ashlyn, and Matthew Wineman, Kellen, Sydney, and Greyson Heintzelman, Ava and Chase Potvin, and Lucy Zeigler.

Cremation was handled by Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary and her ashes will be interred at Christ’s Church Prayer Garden in Fountain Hills.

“No man is poor who has a Godly mother” -- Abraham Lincoln