Maxine Westover Chabries

On occasion, a remarkable soul is sent to earth with a charge to uplift and gladden the hearts of all around her.   So it was with Maxine Westover Chabries.  She entered this world on December 4, 1917 in the little town of American Fork, Utah; the first child of Lewis E. and Lorene Rankin Westover.  More than a century ago, the World was fighting the First of the World Wars, and the Great Depression was just a few years away.  At age 10, Maxine moved with her family to El Segundo, California where her father found work at the Standard Oil Company.  As a young girl, Maxine was an exceptionally bright and beautiful child – with long ringlets of hair dancing around her face. Naturally, she quickly skipped a grade and continued to excel at the top of her class.  It was in these early years she developed an insatiable appetite for classic literature – a practice she embraced until her body could read or listen no longer.  
 
The greatest tragedy of Maxine's life occurred in 1933 when her mother was killed in an automobile accident. Lorene had been her inspiration, her friend, her confidant…her mother.   Words cannot adequately express the love and affection they had for one another.  She deeply grieved this loss for the next 85 years.  

Maxine graduated from high school at age sixteen.  Alone, (during the Depression) she supported herself through school – driven by an irrepressible desire to excel academically and independently.  This desire epitomized who she was as a person.  She graduated from UCLA with a degree in English. Shortly thereafter, she (conditionally) married a dashing young man from California, Melvin E. Chabries.  They were later sealed in the Saint George Temple.  Two boys were born to the happy couple in California, Douglas and Michael.  After relocating to Bountiful, Utah, another two children were added to the family, Johnell and Ted.  

Maxine was an exceptional teacher in every sense of the word. For decades, former students would approach her with gratitude for teaching them both classic literature and precise grammar.  Later, she became an award-winning librarian.  Her greatest desire was to see students expand their minds and seek new adventures within the pages of a book.  She was active in numerous academic and professional associations.   She cared deeply about the rights of all people, but particularly women.  Her life-long love of learning continued as she studied for another two decades, well into her 80's at the University of Utah.

She loved her grandchildren and extended special love and care to them.  Her family was paramount in her life and she was always ready to greet each one of them with a warm smile, an encouraging word and unconditional love.  Maxine was a second mother to many of them.
 
In 1994, her husband and faithful companion passed away after a long battle with prostrate cancer.  She cared for Mel tirelessly and without complaint – she never left his side. After his death, she did what she had always done and went back to school.  
When her eyesight and hearing diminished her capacity to travel safely, she spent her waking hours at the home Mel had built, listening to books on tape.  She was always – at home – with her books.  
 
Maxine was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and devout student of the scriptures.  She taught the Gospel Doctrine class for years – often preparing 40 hours for a 40-minute class.  She loved the writings of Milton, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Shakespeare.   Moreover, she found life in abundance while attending Pioneer Theater, listening to the Utah Symphony, and captivated by the dancers at Ballet West.  When on vacation, she never went to the beach – she went to the museum.  She loved art and beauty in all forms.  
 
All of Maxine's children served missions for the LDS Church. Her oldest son, Doug, graduated from Cal Tech and Brown University.  He later became a member of the faculty at BYU and Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology.  Mike excelled in law enforcement.  He served as the youngest Colonel of the Utah Highway patrol, and later as the Chief of Police of Salt Lake City, Colonel of the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, and Director of Corrections for the State of Utah.   Ted excelled as a union representative for Standard Oil and later became a leader for multiple companies in the trucking and transportation industry.  Johnell graduated top of her class and had a shining career for Questar Gas.  Her children, grand-children, great grand-children, and now great- great grandchildren have inherited a legacy of learning.  
 
Maxine spent the last decade of her life being cared for in the home of her son Mike and his self-sacrificing wife, Kris.  They offered Maxine all the love and care humanly possible.  Maxine passed away peacefully on the morning of the 19th March, 2018 with Kris holding her hand.  She was 100 years young.   As a fitting testament to her love for family and learning, this day is the birthday of a favorite granddaughter, Dr. Carole Chabries, PhD., a Dean at Alverno College.    

She is survived by her beloved brother, Paul Westover.                              

The family expresses their love and appreciation for the Hospice staff and especially Tiffany, mom's home nurse, for their loving care, our sweet daughter Emilie and our dear neighbor Kim Godfrey.  

A closed casket viewing will be at the Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Friday evening, March 23rd, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral will be Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Bountiful 34th ward at 540 North 1200 East, with a viewing from 9:30-10:45 prior to services. Interment at the Lakeview Cemetery.

"Your mother closed her eyes in perfect slumber and awakened among loved ones."  —David O. McKay