Maxine Emily Hayes (7 Jul 1943 - 21 May 2016)

In loving memory of Maxine Emily Hayes who sadly passed away on 21st May 2016.

Maxine Emily Hayes 07/07/1943 – 21/05/2016

A much loved Wife adored Mother, caring Grandmother and Great Grandmother led a full, active and eventful life.

Early life

The only daughter of Dorothy Barnes and Stan McLeod a Canadian Soldier after the war they emigrated to Canada with Dorothy returning to the UK when Maxine was a toddler. Due to post war housing shortages they went to live in the Barnes family home, with Dorothy's elder sister, her husband and their daughter Valerie.

Seven years later Dorothy was given a council prefab in Cinderhill. However, Maxine remained with her aunt and uncle until she left school at the age of 15, to live full time with her mum and her then boyfriend.

Valerie’s fondest memories included “We fought like sisters especially when she got a present from her real dad in Canada, although she always called my dad "dad". She loved her toast burnt till it was black and on fire. We used to have baths together and then have our hair wrapped in "rags" to provide ringlets. Both of us had a walking talking doll after wishing in the big oak tree near the police station. We had many happy weekends with my mum playing the piano etc. and we all sang songs in the front room, (no TV's then)”

She loved going into Nottingham on a Friday night dancing and eventually met Bill.

Family life

Maxine, Bill Garry and Roy moved to Top Valley in the early 1970’s. There she brought up two sons, looked after Bill and worked in several jobs as a healthcare assistant at City Hospital, Players Factory, the Co-Op and others.

But still found time to go out on the town on Friday nights, separately to Bill at first but eventually needs must and they took in the sights together.

An avid fan of anything connected with Elvis Presley (like Dorothy) being members of the Nottm fan club and spend 1 Saturday night a month in the Miltons Head Vic Centre for the Elvis meeting. Dorothy helped Mum win an Elvis bust the year he passed on, no 3 from 500.Part of the prize was to meet the cast of the touring Elvis show, Meeting Marty Wilde and Shakin Stevens, among others. She would eventually go on several pilgrimages to Gracelands with her mum and afterwards shared tales of her adventures in great detail to anybody who wanted to know.

Those who know Maxine know of her great love of anything shoes, handbags and leopard print or purple related. Taking great pains to look her best (which she always did) on her nights out, hair, make up and nails all done to perfection topping off each outfit with her jewellery, then getting to the bus stop to meet with friends such as Rose, Little Chris and Lett for a night’s adventure putting the world to rights in places such as Dog & Partridge. Or joining Bill for great nights at the Top Valley Social Club either joining in a Sunday night jukebox sing song or watching an Elvis tribute act.

When the weather in England got too cold Maxine and Bill would take off to hotter climates for long holidays in Egypt until home got warmer, well it saved on the bills. Maxine always knew how to party in style, making many friends along the way.

She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her, uncompromising and one in a million.

Flowers or donations to CJD Support Network can be made on the Just Giving Section of this page or sent to C Terry Funeral Services, Bulwell High Road, Bulwell, Nottingham, NG6 8NU.