Maxine (Thrift) Allan, 91, of Ashland, Ohio passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Maxine was born June 16, 1935, in Washington, D.C. to Richard and Helen (Gude) Thrift. She was the youngest of 8 children. After graduation from Anacostia High School in 1953, she worked for the federal government.
She met her husband, Jerry Allan, who was serving in the Air Force and based in Washington D.C. at the time. After they were married on January 21, 1956, they moved to Detroit, Michigan where they raised their 4 children. Maxine loved spending the summers at their cottage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she made many fun memories for her children and many guests.
After retirement, she and Jerry split their time between their home base in Ashland, summers at their Michigan cottage, and winters in Tucson, Arizona, where she enjoyed volleyball, tennis, and pickleball.
Maxine trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1952. Wherever she lived she was always active in a local church. She was most recently a member of Grace Church in Ashland.
Maxine loved her husband of 66 years, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Dan (Holly) Allan of Ashland; Janna (Jeff) Goodyear of Louisville, Kentucky; Kelly (Jerry) Willaman of Trenton, Michigan; and Jim (Elaine) Allan of Beverly Hills, Michigan; nine grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Maxine is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her seven siblings, and one grandson.
A Celebration of Maxine’s Life will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Church, 1144 West Main Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805. Family and friends may visit from 9:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Ashland Cemetery.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com