Ann Shirlee Maxson
Ann Shirlee Garrett Maxson, 88, a native of Richmond, died January 20, 2023. She was born on Christmas Day, in Newport News, Va. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, Cecil “Max” Rogers Maxson Jr. and her parents, Eugene Jackson Garrett Jr. and Evelyn Beard Garrett. She is survived by her daughters Evelyn “Eve” Maxson Hopper (Greg) of Midlothian and Susan Maxson Lyons (Charles) of Vienna, Virginia, along with grandchildren Linda Catherine Lyons and Charles Maxson Lyons, also of Vienna.
Shirlee taught secondary and middle school in Christiansburg, Henrico County, at Gill School and in Chesterfield County. She retired in 1985 to volunteer at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and to travel, in order to enhance her love and knowledge of history, art and geography. She loved to travel, and visited the Iron Curtain countries, including the Soviet Union, before they were open to tourism. The great world museums of art, culture and history were one of her passions. Her family and her beloved dogs and cats were her others.
Shirlee graduated in only three years from Westhampton College, University of Richmond, earning Phi Beta Kappa honors. She was also a member of Phi Alpha Theta, a National Honor Society in history. As a twenty year old newlywed in 1955, she moved to Blacksburg to begin her teaching career and help put her veteran husband through college. She was an active alumna of Westhampton and a sustaining member of Phi Beta Kappa. In her association with higher education she was a member of Virginia Tech's UT Prosim Society and William Preston Society. She served four years on the board of the Parent's Association at the College of William & Mary, where her ancestor, Miles Cary, was the first Rector in 1693.
Shirlee was a member of The Jamestowne Society and the Old Dominion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a past member of the Council of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a Fellow of the Museum and a Senior Docent and Docent Emeritus. She was also a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. Above all, Shirlee was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and wife and always wanted what was best for her family. She would take great care to always prepare those special dishes for birthdays and other celebrations. She loved adventure and found joy in life. She will be greatly missed.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the Cedarfield community, for their compassion, friendship and care, especially to Ennis, Kendall, Melodie, Jordan, Katie, George, Mel and Drs. Cook and Scheer, for all they did for both Mom and Dad. Mom was blessed to have KK and Dana as dear friends.
A graveside service was held at Hollywood Cemetery on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Helen Stafford Scholarship in History, Westhampton College, 410 Westhampton Way, Richmond, VA, 23173 or to the Cecil and Shirlee Maxson Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine, c/o Virginia Tech Foundation, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0131.
We love you Mom.