Maxine A Armstrong

Maxine Althea Con g don Arms trong , age 91 passed away peacefully on Friday, October 22, 2021.  She was born in Binghamton General Hospital – Binghamton daughter of the late Harold W Congdon Esther Q  ( Wandell ) Congdon on November 5, 1929 on the day her father v oted for the first time .

She was m arried to Harold M Armstrong Sr. in Rutland, VT, from January 31, 1947 until 1967.   Maxine had 7 children, Bonnie L Sta r r ; Sandra K Maxson (Tom), Joan Marie Ames (Greg); Harold M Armstrong Jr (Trish) ; Kenneth W Armstrong (Gloria); Patricia L Ray (Scott); Brenda Jo Elmer and Fred Ough , close God - child .

21 grandchildren and spouses , 1 7 great grandchildren , 3 God children Sheila ( Sare ) Einstein; Dixie Rourke and Fred Ough (Fritz Henry) whom she was very close to .

Maxine started working at 13 years of age with her mother and father at the Midway Service Station. Even though her parents were "rough" on her working habits , she admitted to learning a lot and using these habits until she retire d in 2006. Many of the places she worked in were the Otesaga ( 15 years), Tally Ho, Chef Diner, Rich field Diner, Tryon Inn, Oneonta Country Club, Rizzos , Fiesta and many others. Maxine had her own restaurant in Richfield Springs called " Maxines " from 1972-1979. She also worked for Ted and Anne Eastwood in "Eastwood Cleaners" for many years.

Maxine has belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star for over 65 years and V.F.W. for over 65 years. Being a charter member of the Lupia , Abramski , Sd r ewski V.F.W. Auxiliary until they disbanned , she transferred to V.F.W. Auxiliary 7128 in Cooperstown in 1988. Her life's ambition was to become State President of the VFW Auxiliary, but because she kept having more children, she only got as far as the Ot s ego County V.F.W. Auxiliary President, which she enjoyed. Also, while in business in her own restaurant, she was elected Vice President of the Otsego County Restaurant Organization working with President Joe Rizzo.

In June 2014, Maxine entered the Richfield Springs Central School Athletic Hall of Fame wit h a unanimous vote from the committee. She was very honored with this award. Maxine spent many hours at the baseball, soft ball, boys and g irls JV and varsity games. She had a very unique way of keeping score at all the games. She also got intere sted in the modified girls basketball games. If no one offered Maxine a ride, s he has been known to drive her self, near and far.

Maxine was very active at the Church of Christ Uniting. Here favorite job was "setting up" for all dinners and then being the gre e ter and "directing traffic". She was also active setting up the communions with Margaret Goodrich. On many Sundays, she was "greeter" at the morning service . If the designated greeter did not appear, Maxine took it upon herself to do the job.

In July 2014, Maxine was very happy to have most of her entire family home for a family reunion for a pre 85 th birthday party. The only family not able to come was granddaughter Melissa and her family from Louisiana. She loved being invited to play pitch (cards) with her older grandchildren – some of whom didn't like her on their team as they thought anyone over 80 years of age wouldn't be able to play cards.

Maxine has worked on school elections. She has also worked for the Otsego County Election Board in our local elections since about 1955. Being a "people person", she has always been ready to say yes when asked to work.

Maxine was baptized in C OCU on September 15, 2002 and joined the Church at that time too.

In recent years, people have seen Maxine and Bob Masters, her soul mate, out doing their daily walk on many streets in town. For several years, Maxine and Bob spent a couple months in Titusville, Florida. They traveled the entire state to see baseball, football, basketball and Titusville High School games. They also traveled to see many friends and relatives while in the south.

Maxine was a "true" Syracuse football, basketball and Yankees baseball fan. Recently her grandson, Leland, played football for Milford Academy in New Berlin. If her son, Harold, asked her to go to any of these games, she was always ready when he was.

Thanks to dear friends Janice, John and Raymie for their help.

14 Grandchildren ​​​​​ 17 Great Grandchildren

Chad and Courtney Houghtaling ​​ Kayla, Ly n dsey

Carin and Doug Heckman ​​​​ Riley, Ryan

Steven Max s on ​​​​​ Kaylee

Zac Ames ​​

Nathan Ames ​​​​​ Jonathan, Gracie , Gia, Elizabeth

Caleb Ames

Isaac Ames ​​​​​​ Elijah, Jarad

Leland E Armstrong

Alexandra Armstrong

Griffin Armstrong

Stephanie Ray and Nick

Melissa Stevens ​ Caitlyn, Madison, Gav u n , Trinity, Dylan, Ava

Brendan Elmer

Kyle and Ashley Elmer

Mrs. Armstrong's family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Saturday morning from 9:00 until 11:00 am at the Church Hall in the Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs.  Members of Arbutus Chapter # 201, Order of the Eastern Star will gather for their ritual service at 10:45 am at the church.  Funeral service will follow in the church sanctuary at 11:00 am with the Reverend Casey Bradley, pastor officiating.  Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Richfield Springs.  Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Church of Christ Uniting, Post Office Box # 896, Richfield Springs, NY 13439, The Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 1456, Richfield Spring.

Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.