Leona Maxine Maddox

Leona Maxine Dial Maddox, 86, of Aztec, passed away early Friday, March 5, 2010, in Albuquerque. Maxine was born Oct. 21, 1923, in Aztec, to Liska and Everett Dial. She grew up in Aztec with her sister, Eileen, and many wonderful friends and cousins with whom she always has kept in touch. Maxine attended the Aztec Schools and graduated from Aztec High School. Maxine always dreamed of being a Rockette but instead took the practical route of going to the Western School for Secretaries in Albuquerque. She and her husband, Robert L. Maddox Jr., who predeceased her Dec. 10, 1989, were married in Aztec on Dec. 30, 1944, while he was on leave from service in the Navy. When World War II ended, she met Bob’s ship in San Diego and spent time there enjoying the city and even hitching a ride with well-known band leader, Tommy Dorsey. Bob went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation as a civil engineer working in Denver and then in Fresno, CA. In 1952, Maxine returned with her husband and her two boys to San Juan County, where Bob became the City Engineer in Farmington during the boom years. In Farmington she was a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was also a member of the San Juan Country Club. The Bridge Club and President of the Tibbetts Jr. High PTA. In 1966, they moved to Santa Fe, where Maddox, Horne and Associates Consulting Engineers was located. She spent time in Las Cruces, Ruidoso and other locations around New Mexico. Many afternoons were spent at Santa Fe Downs and Turf paradise in Phoenix. She loved Santa Fe, the Fiestas and the burning of Zozobra. She had tickets for all the Lobo games at the Pit beginning in 1966, when it opened and also attended several NCAA tournament games. In 2004, Maxine moved to Albuquerque, where she bought a corner unit in the Arno Lofts overlooking Central Avenue in East Downtown. She followed sports and politics, was an avid reader and loved to travel with her sons, daughters-in-laws and grandchildren. At every turn she made people feel welcome greeting them with a smile. In 2008, Maxine moved to the Woodmark, where she loved socializing, spending time in the dining room with her friends, getting her hair done on Thursday s and she never missed the Friday Happy Hours. She had a great life and always looked forward to the next event. She was a great mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was number one. She never missed anything where her family was involved. Always congratulating, taking pictures, lending support, and spreading the word. She is survived by her sons, Jim Maddox of Albuquerque and Mike Maddox and wife, Pam, of Aztec; daughter-in-law, Barbara Maddox of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Damon Maddox, of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Damon Maddox and his paramour, Jenifer Facio, of Albuquerque, Matthew Maddox of New York City, Amanda Maddox and her fiance, Phil Shaw, of Denver, Ramiro Maddox and his wife, Karlie, of Wichita, Kan. And Liska Maddox of Albuquerque. Great-grandchildren include Shelby, Aydon, Jamie, Mikayla and Madilyn, all Maddox. Additionally she is survived by her Dial cousins who had a great reunion in Aztec in the summer of 2009; and several other cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. A special thanks goes to all of Leona Maxine’s physicians, the folks at The Woodmark, Manzano del Sol, Presbyterian Hospital and Go-Fors Vans. She loved you all. Ms. Maddox's care has been entrusted to: Cope Memorial Chapel 405 S. Main Ave. Aztec, NM 87410 (505)334-9332