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With her family by her side, Maxine 'Punky' Parker passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Ore.
Born on March 29, 1941, in Nyssa, Ore., she was one of nine daughters of George and Delmar Schweizer. She spent most of her life in The Dalles, where she graduated from The Dalles High School in 1959. She worked for many years at The Dalles Family Practice before retiring in 2004. She raised her three children here and married the love of her life and best friend, Raburn.
Maxine loved going dancing with friends, attending the Pendleton Roundup with her sisters and their families, and traveling to the Oregon Coast where she loved the beach and visiting the casino. She loved spending time quilting with her dear friend Edith, embroidering, volunteering at her church and playing Bingo with Raburn at the senior center. She filled the room with laughter, brought a smile to your face and made friends with anyone. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, including her four great grandbabies. She could always be seen with a smile on her face and a Pepsi in her hand.
Punky is survived by her daughters; Tylene Thomsen, Roseburg and Kim (Ken) Gillet, Hermiston, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters JoAnne Bright, Diane Rosiere, Marcia Maes and Margie Gribble and many cousins, nieces and nephews who brought her great joy in life. She is preceded in death by her son Kyle McBride; parents George and Delmar; and sisters Patty Rehbein, Pam Williams, Sue Goss and Marsha Core.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 1, at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in The Dalles. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church.
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