On January 1, 2020, a beloved light to the Green Mountain State and local community took her last breath and fell quietly asleep in death at her home located in Duxbury, Vermont.
Maxine Mary (Long) Tallman was born on April 27, 1923, at the current site of the Bundy Gallery on Bundy Road, Waitsfield. Maxine learned from a very early age the meaning of sorrow and loss. When she was 6, her father (Charles), whom she loved dearly, had a serious accident while working in the family barn. He lived for approximately six months after his severe head injury but finally succumbed as a result of that tragic accident.
Maxine graduated from Waitsfield High School in 1941 at the top of her class.
On August 10, 1941, Maxine made the most important decision of her life that she would be most proud of up until the time of her death. In St. Louis, Missouri, on Sunday, August 10, 1941, the scene read as follows:
There was a convention feature that especially touched the hearts of assembly delegates. Sunday, August 10, 1941, was “Children’s Day” at the Saint Louis convention. Early that morning a baptismal discourse was given and 3,903 persons were immersed, among them 1,357 children (Maxine attended as one of the children being 18 years of age). But for children – and adults too – that day was very special. “All children of consecrated parents between the ages of 5 and 18 and having reserved seat tickets will assemble in the main arena directly in front of the platform,” said the printed program. Brother Judge Rutherford’s discourse, “Children of the King,” was scheduled for 11 a.m. Maxine dedicated her life to serve her God Jehovah for the rest of her life on that day.
On December 30, 1942, Maxine married (Orin) Gilbert Clyde Tallman. Together they had seven children, two of whom are now deceased: Rosalie Tallman and Naomi Tallman.
Maxine has a rich spiritual legacy that she leaves behind and is survived by five children: Faith Moulton, Mary H. Carey, Terri Tallman, Lori Madden and Perry Tallman; 16 grandchildren including Mike Carey Jr., James Carey, Jennifer Carey, Gilbert Couillard, Sarah Couillard, John Crossett IV, Taylor Welch, Lisa Audet, Cassidy Tallman; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild, Addilyn Marie Simms (a few months old).
In the early 1960s, Maxine sold property to the community for the future site that would become Harwood Union High School. The community owes her a debt of gratitude for making this become a reality.
Maxine was a captivating storyteller and wrote a book as well as many, many poems. She started a flower business in the 1960s and for years had clients come from all around. Maxine loved gardening and during the spring through the fall months one would often see her tending her large gardens of vegetables. Maxine grew up around maple sugaring and during the maple sugaring season loved making the fancy grade.
Funeral services will be held later in the spring when Maxine will be laid to rest next to her husband, Gilbert, in the family cemetery located in Warren, Vermont. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com.
