Maxine Van Lanen Kennewick WA Maxine Van Lanen, age 88, formerly of Portland Oregon, residing in Kennewick since 1995, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 after an 8-yr. struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Maxine was born in Oregon City, Oregon on August 16th, 1921 to Linna and Charles Arthur Mabal. Maxine descended from a pioneer family with her mother's maiden name of Bewley, a family connected to coming across the Oregon Trail and part of the Whitman Mission Massacre with the death of Crockett Bewley and the capture of Lorinda Bewley Maxine's great great Aunt by Chief Five Crows of the Cayuse Indians. Maxine the oldest of 5 children became an orphan when her parents died within a few days of each other; she was only 8 yrs old. Maxine was also separated from her younger siblings when they were placed to live with other family members. Maxine was sent to a Catholic Orphanage Christie home at Marylhurst near Lake Oswego Oregon, which was run by the Sisters of the Holy names of Jesus and Mary. She met her husband Ted in Portland at a Jazz band dance when big band Jazz was prominent in Portland; they both enjoyed dancing every night for several years. They were married August 2nd, 1943 and celebrated 59 years of marriage until Ted died in 2002. Maxine was a homemaker and was known for her great cooking and generosity; she enjoyed making and giving away as gifts some of her delicious cookies and pies. Besides relatives she always treated the parish priests and sisters with her desserts or gifts of fruit. While an Orphan at the Christie home Maxine converted to the Catholic religion which she cherished her whole life; she spent 9 years in Bible study classes at the Grotto parish in Portland. Also preceding her in death are her two younger brothers; Bill and Myron, and younger sister Marjorie. Maxine is survived by her three children; Barbara Wagner of Kennewick, Jim Van Lanen of Portland, Bill Van Lanen and wife Peggy of Portland; also her youngest sister Kathryn Calcagno and husband Lou of Trapani, Italy on the Island of Sicily. She has eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. The Holy Rosary will be recited on Monday, February 1st at 7:00 p.m. at Mueller's Chapel of the Falls, 314 W 1st Ave., Kennewick. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, February 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Kennewick. In Lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the St Joseph's building fund for the grade school. The family would like to thank Rosetta her residence at 10th and Olympia for the wonderful, gentle and loving care they gave throughout her stay with them.