Susan Gail Maxey

Sue Maxey, age 81, of Longview, WA, passed away on December 23, 2021 in Vancouver, WA from complications following a stroke and seizures.
Sue was born in Malta, Montana on December 8, 1940, the first child of Daniel and Maxine Maxey. The family moved to Longview in 1944 and then to Carrolls in 1947 where Sue attended Carrolls School through 8th grade. She graduated from Kelso High School in 1958 and attended the University of Washington where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1962. She continued on to the University of Pittsburg where she received a Master of Library Science degree. Her first professional library job was as Children’s Librarian at Gary Public Library in Indiana. In 1969 she returned to Longview to work in the Longview Public Library until her retirement in 1999. Sue especially enjoyed her work in the Longview Room at the library and was a co-author of Longview (an Images of America book). She contributed much to the community through her participation in the Soroptimist Club, volunteering for the Cowlitz County Museum and through St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Another group that gave her much pleasure is the 1958 Class Alumni of Kelso High School. Sue remained active in the Friends of the Longview library and served on the board of the Cowlitz County Museum.
Sue enjoyed travel and visited six of the seven continents. She took many extended trips and cruises with her good friend Mary Jane Brown.
Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Max. She is survived by her brother, Burke Maxey (Karen) of Burnsville MN and sister, Kit White of Tacoma. She is also survived by her niece: Kama Duggan (Pete) and their daughter, Elliana of Apple Valley MN, nephew: Brendan Maxey and his son, Rowan of Pine City MN, and nephews: Derek White of Longview WA and Nick White of Tacoma WA. Sue is also survived by two local cousins, Chuck (Linda) Setzer of Rainier OR and Sharon (Russ) Eyer of Castle Rock WA, their families, and other cousins across the country.
The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of the Canterbury Park and the Canterbury Inn, Beacon Hill Rehabilitation, Peace Health St. John’s Hospital, Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital, Doctors at Kaiser Clinic and Sharmel Senior Care Home, Vancouver, WA. In this difficult time of covid, Sue and the family were treated with unfailing courtesy, support and excellent care.
A private graveside service will be held for the family, and a public memorial service is planned for April 9, 2022 at 2:00 pm at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. In keeping with Sue’s generous nature please send memorial donations to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.