Maxine M. Harden

Maxine M. Harden passed away peacefully in her Eugene home on April 22, 2021. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Harden with whom she resided. Born Maxine Mary Janisse, she was the eldest child and only daughter of Firman Philip Janisse and Arlie Merle Bond. Her siblings included Philip, Raymond, Frederick, Gerald and Lance of whom only Lance Janisse survives living in Aiden, Michigan. Maxine was born in 1922 in Ontario Canada moving with her family to the Detroit Michigan area at 3 months of age. She became a U.S. citizen by virtue of her parents' naturalization during her childhood. Maxine was of French, German and English heritage with her French roots in Canada reaching back to the 1700's, with her German and English roots in Canada reaching back to the 1800's. She grew up in the Detroit Michigan area where she fell in love and married Arnold J. D. Harden. After Arnold's service in WWII, Maxine welcomed him back in 1945. They welcomed the birth of their only son Robert Wayne Harden in 1948 who died at the age of 23 in Bend Oregon. The birth of their only daughter, Barbara Lynn Harden came in 1953. The family moved in 1961 to Anaheim California and then to Eugene Oregon in 1968. They lived in Eugene for several years and after watching their children leave the nest, they retired to Deschutes county, living in La Pine and eventually Bend . After her husband, Arnold's death, she returned to live in Eugene where her brother Raymond Janisse also lived. She found love again and was married to Perry Williams in 1994 and survived his death in 2008. As a young woman she aspired to be a nurse but opportunities for training were financially inaccessible to her. During her life Maxine held several secretarial jobs for places such as Burroughs Adding Machine Company, Duke university and eventually at Sunriver resort. She also worked as a teacher's aide at South Eugene High School and as a knitting instructor at Sear's and for a knit shop in Eugene. While at Sunriver, she earned employee of the year on more than one occasion, an accomplishment of which she was very proud. She dabbled in several areas of arts and crafts throughout her life including photography, machine knitting, hand knitting, tatting, crocheting, sewing, oil painting, beadwork and attempts at biographical writing. She was curious and sought out opportunities to learn new arts and crafts. She was a strong, independent woman and somewhat reserved in demeanor. She always had a smile and was loved by those who took the time to know her. She will be missed. Opportunities to say farewell to her will be provided from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on May 12, 2021 at the Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home located at 105 NW Irving Ave, Bend, OR 97701. There will be graveside services at Pilot Butte Cemetery on May 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

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Maxine M. Harden

October 21, 1922 - April 22, 2021