Obituary of Maxine Frances Park

Maxine F. Park

Lark Harbour, NL 

Our kindhearted and beautiful mother, Maxine Park, has passed. It is with saddened hearts but everlasting pride that the family now grieve the loss of a loving mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, friend and devoted partner.

Frances Maxine Park (née Sheppard) was born in Lark Harbour on August 6th, 1951 and died peacefully at the Western Long Term Care Home on the early morning of February 22nd, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Maxine was born into a nurturing home filled with love, kindness and respect. She’d never let a day go by without sharing childhood stories of her most beloved, kindhearted and gentle father whom she referred to as “daddy”, her caring and devoted mother, Kitty, and the love and pride of growing up in her two-story home. We are forever grateful and honored to have these stories and we will continue to pass these on to our families and friends. Maxine’s childhood laid the foundation for her own gentle approach to raising her own children with her husband, Melvin, who repeatedly proclaimed and truly believed that he had married the “best woman in Lark Harbour”. Maxine’s kindness and dedication to her family led her to care for her father and younger sister after her mother’s passing at an early age and later welcoming her 5 year old nephew to the family after her sister's passing. Maxine’s devotion to family shone through in her busy household, which was always open to friends, family and visitors. Maxine was well known for her skill of baking – her date squares and cherry cakes were family and friend favorites. She was also a skilled knitter who enjoyed the challenge of a new project; her most beloved being the christening gowns she knit for her grandchildren. Maxine always prided herself on fashion and looking her best - she was a lady characterized by grace and glamor, and it would not be a stretch to say that she was the proud owner of at least 100 dresses. She enjoyed walking daily but would shorten her walk to the post office on the days she made date squares so that her first taste was at the perfect temperature when she returned.

Maxine was married to her husband, Melvin Park, for 38 years. After his death Maxine enjoyed working on the trail project at Bottle Cove and the connections she made while working at the local seniors home in Lark Harbour. She was also blessed with another chance at love after her husband’s passing, to Mike Ryan, whom she was able to build another beautiful life with for 17 years. This relationship was filled with romance and adventure: with trips to Connecticut to visit family, Florida where she enjoyed walking on the beach, and Nashville to visit the Grand ole Opry. Mom’s life with dementia slowed her travels down but with support from her partner and her very special home care worker and friend, Roslyn, she continued to enjoy trips to Gros Morne or Corner Brook for a shopping trip that were always to be filled with laughter. Maxine’s final 5 years were spent at the Western Long Term Care Home in Corner Brook where we continued with visits filled with love and stories. Her favorite phrase was “what’s going to become of us!”, always followed by lots of laughter. We will be forever grateful for the care, love and respect that Mike showed mom during these years. He visited her 3 times a day, every day without fail, to help provide the care she needed.

Waiting to welcome her to her eternal home is her husband, Melvin, parents, Linton and Christina Sheppard, Sisters Irene Sheppard (Reg) and Marilyn Farthing, brother Maxwell Sheppard (Faith), Mother and Father in law, Ronald and Jessie Park and sisters and brothers in law, Marie Park (Saul), Geraldine Sheppard (Ronnie) and Barbara Pennell (Foster). Maxine leaves behind her loving partner Mike Ryan, Children Lana (Gerry), Shelley (Calvin), Christina (Gregory) and Eugene (Janet) and her beloved sister Marina (Murray). Grandchildren, Abigail, Brandon, Curtis, Bridget, Ginny-Mel, Sophie, Molly, and George. Great-Grandchildren, Trent, Jack and Maeli and Special Nephews Matthew, Mark and Christopher. Brothers in law, Gerald (Edna), Scott (Rose) and Winston. The family would also like to express heartfelt gratitude to the home care workers that supported her while living at home and the staff of the Western LTC home (Valleyside) for their care and compassion.

We will be eternally grateful for our mother who approached life in the most unselfish, graceful and caring way. Although our hearts are broken we are incredibly grateful for the lasting memories, strong sense of family and all of the love and laughter she has given us. Rest in peace mom and rest assured that you will never be forgotten. Cremation has taken place and a grave side service will be held in August 2026 in Lark Harbour, date and time to be later announced.