Maxine Ella Coberly August 30, 1926 – February 15, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook Maxine Ella Coberly, aged 92, passed away peacefully February 15, 2019 in Parkland, WA. Maxine was born August 30, 1926, to Oliver and Salome (Davis) Vognild, in Everett, WA. Maxine’s early years were spent helping out running the family drug store, Beverly Park Drug, in Everett, Washington.
The store served the community in many capacities—pharmacy, post office, gift shop, soda fountain, and social gathering spot. Maxine spent all of her summers as a teen running the drug store, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, mixing and filling prescriptions, serving homemade ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce, homemade chili, fresh coffee, and everything else one could expect to find at an authentic soda fountain in those days. She graduated high school at the age of 17, and immediately signed up for Nurses’ Training with the US Navy in 1943 to support the war effort.
World War II ended before her training was complete, so Maxine did not have the opportunity to actively serve during the war. A gifted musician, she entertained troops home on leave from the war, playing piano for dances at the local USO every weekend. Music was always a part of her life, a love which she passed on to her children.
Maxine graduated from Nurses’ Training in 1947, and married her first husband, Kenny Fletcher. As a young nurse, she was active in the National Nurses’ Association, eventually holding the office of Vice President. She spent many happy, productive years travelling the nation, attending national conferences and conventions.
Following her divorce from Kenny, Maxine met and married the love of her life, Richard Coberly—they were wed on September 6, 1958. Maxine and Richard spent the beginning of their marriage living the good life in Honolulu, Hawaii, where their eldest son, Scot, was born. In 1960, the couple moved back to the mainland to be with family and raise their growing family, which eventually included children Scot, Faye, and Glen.
While the children were small, Maxine took a break from nursing to be a stay at home mom. The family lived in Seattle and Walla Walla early on, eventually settling in Parkland, WA in 1966. Maxine and the family became members of Spanaway Lutheran Church.
The church was a major part of her life in all the years that followed. She was a stalwart member of the tenor section in the church choir, and volunteered in many capacities, including the well child clinic, the church food bank, and as an administrative assistant in the church office, to name just a few. Maxine volunteered regularly at the church well into her eighties.
As the children grew, Maxine went back into full time work as a Registered Nurse, serving in many diverse roles at Lakewood General Hospital, which eventually became St. Claire Hospital, in Lakewood, Washington. She retired from nursing in 1996, aged 69. Maxine truly loved nursing, and was never one to allow grass to grow under her feet, so she volunteered at the hospital for many years following her retirement.
Maxine enjoyed camping, travelling, gardening, playing cards, spending time with family, and watching sports. She was an avid Seahawks fan. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (2000), and her granddaughter Briana (2004).
Survivors include her three children, Scot (Chrystina), Faye (Mark), and Glen—her brother, Jon Vognild, (Joyce), four grandchildren—Bryon (Shanna), Juliana (Ryan), Taylor, and Darius, — four great-grandchildren—Brycelin, Neveah, Lyndzee, and Piper. Memorial donations may be made in Maxine’s name to Spanaway Lutheran Church or CHI Franciscan Hospice.
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