From the moment I sat down with Maxine, I could feel the warmth of her heart. She welcomed me into her home with such openness, the kind that instantly makes you feel like family.

 

Maxine is the kind of person who naturally thinks of others first. So much of her story was about the people she loves—her family, her friends, her community. As she spoke about her parents, her eyes lit up with gratitude, especially when remembering her mother. At one point, she tearfully shared how she wished she could still pick up the phone and call her mom with questions. That moment said so much about the depth of her love.

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I was able to see the home she grew up in after moving to Clearfield, Iowa... the very town where she later met Paul, her husband of many years. Together, they’ve built a beautiful life filled with three children and several grandchildren, all of whom she beams with pride over. Her joy is found in them, and it radiates when she speaks their names.

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Maxine also has a gift in the kitchen. Before I left, she sent me home with jars of her homemade salsa and pepper jelly—just one more way she pours her love into others.

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Filming Maxine’s story was a reminder of how powerful it is to capture the everyday moments of extraordinary women like her. These are the stories that weave together the fabric of family history, the ones future generations will treasure forever.

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If you’ve ever thought about preserving the voices and memories of the people you love most, Maxine’s story is a gentle reminder: don’t wait.

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-Brittany