Maxine Marie Morris
1927-2022
Maxine Marie Gennette was born in Aurora, Kansas on April 5, 1927. The only daughter of Omer and Emma (Monty) Gennette. Her family settled in Coffeyville, Kansas when she was quite young, and she attended Holy Name School and then Field Kinley High School in Coffeyville. After graduation from High School, she moved to Tulsa to become a nurse, through the Cadet Nurse Corp at St. John Hospital. During her second year on September 18, 1946, she was set up on date by one of the nuns at St. John. Don Morris was a young geology student at TU. Their first date was to the Tulsa State Fair While playing games there, Don won a plastic wedding band. He gave it to her that very night, and their fate was sealed. Don and Maxine were married three years later on August 30, 1949. She went on to become a nurse in Kansas and Oklahoma and was awarded the Linda Richards Award for Outstanding Nurse in Oklahoma in 1948. Don and Maxine lived in Colorado Springs while he was attending school at Colorado College, and later Durango. The marriage produced three sons, Mike, Mark and David. Maxine was the ultimate homemaker for the family and quit nursing for a few years while her children were young. A terrific seamstress, she could sew shirts and overalls for the kids, drapes and curtains or a beautiful ball gown for her and Don to go out dancing. She was a PTA president, Cub Scout Den Mother, and homeroom mother. She was the family cook, CFO, gardener, driver and procurement officer. When her children reached school age, Maxine returned to nursing working at Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City on the night shift part-time to provide extra income for the family. She retired from nursing in 1968. Always a sports enthusiast, she followed and attended many sporting events as her children were growing and continued to be a watcher of college and national sports teams until late in her life. In the early 70s, she joined a couple of close friends in a decorating business in Edmond that they operated for more than 10 years, Decorating Gallery. After Don semi-retired from the oil business, they took many trips and cruises. They also purchased a second home at Grand Lake, where she traveled frequently. After Don’s death in 2000, she became active in many diverse activities, including a tap dancer with Linda Tarpley’s “Tappin Grannies” at Northpark Mall for several years. She learned bridge and played in several groups. She was involved and was an officer in the Geologist Wives group. Her church was always a very important part of her life, she never missed mass even while traveling. She was an organist at St. John for a time and assisted with many of their activities and missions. Her grandchildren and great grands were the light of her life. Each one was sure they were her favorite. She shared her time, talents, love and support to all, and the pride she had in each child showed on her face. She never had an ugly word to say about anyone, her faith and grace never wavered. She was thankful for those who cared for her. We thank the caregivers at Eden Care for providing loving care in the final years of her life. She is survived by her children and their families, Mike and Leslie Morris, Mark and Debbie Morris, David and Janna Morris, Max Morris, Max and Michele Gagliardi, Jack, Charlie, and Calvin Gagliardi, Chad and Stacy Goodman, Kaeden and Kylee Goodman, Dmitry and Jody Volfson, Elizabeth and Katherine Volfson, David and Janna Morris, Jake Morris and Brandi (soon to be Morris), Joey and Kim Morris, and Emmaline Morris.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 1-8 PM with family greeting friends from 6-7 PM at Matthews Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.