Kathleen (Kathy) L. Maxwell, 63, of Paradise Valley, died of sarcoma cancer on Friday, December 14, 2012 at Hospice of the Valley’s Ryan House on the campus of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. She was born September 1949 in Evanston, Illinois, the daughter of the late John A. and Jean C. Lynch.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Roger, their daughter Jennifer (Jeff) Crane and three grandchildren – Addison, Julia and Ryan Crane. Kathy was the loving sister of Jean (Pat) Reilly of Springfield, Illinois; Patty (Michael) Keller of St. Louis, Missouri; John (Sue) Lynch of Lake Forest, Illinois and Marphy Butterfield of Paradise Valley.
Kathy was a beloved aunt to seventeen nieces and nephews – Mary Pat, Dan, Kevin, Megan and Mike Reilly; Tim, Katie, Erin, Shannon, Ryan and Bridget (Rodriguez) Keller; Katie, Tim and Kristy Lynch; and Stephen, Brooks and Matthew Butterfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John A. and Jean C. Lynch of Scottsdale and her brother, Timothy.
In November 1974, Kathy was united in marriage to Roger Maxwell in Scottsdale. Twenty one years later in 1995, Kathy and Roger founded In Celebration of Golf, a unique golf retail experience in Scottsdale. As the visionary and founding partner, Kathy was instrumental in growing the retail business into one of the country’s finest golf retail concepts. She took great pride and delight in her role as buyer for the Celebration’s numerous locations throughout the West Coast. Kathy’s class, personality and business savvy helped distinguish the company from its competitors. In May 2009, Kathy received one of her greatest compliments from author George Whalin, who paid tribute to In Celebration of Golf in his book “Retail Superstars: Inside the 25 Best Independent Stores in America.”
Since she was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer in 2009, Kathy continued to amaze doctors with her gallant strength, courage and unwavering positive outlook. Family and faith were not only her passion, but also her source of strength until the time of her death, where she was surrounded by both.
Kathy was known as the consummate host, opening up their home to entertain friends and family for every occasion. She touched many lives with her beautiful spirit and beaming smile. Her immense generosity was underscored by her belief that giving was always from the heart rather than for public recognition. She will be remembered for her love of holidays and relishing in the joy of every holiday season.
The only thing Kathy loved more than family was a good novel. Today, as her family closes the final chapter on Kathy’s personal history, they celebrate the story of her life.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 19 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11300 N 64th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85254. She will be laid to rest at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Surgery at John’s Hopkins Hospital, Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Hospice of the Valley, three institutions that were committed to improving Kathy’s life by providing excellent care.
Bill & Corinne Hochgraef
Dear Roger,
We received your message about Kathy this morning and are saddened to hear of your loss. I know there is be an empty place in your heart. Loosing the love of your life will do that. On the other hand, the battle with pain and suffering is over. You have been Kathy’s ‘rock’ that gave her the will to put up the good fight. Now, Kathy has moved on to her heavenly home to watch over her family from above and will be pain free forever.
Your Friends,
Bill and Corinne Hochgraef
Curt Hudek
On behalf of all or the golf professionals, golfers and their families that have had their lives touched by Kathy we extend our deepest thanks for all she did to enrich our lives. Our deepest regrets for your loss. Respectfully.
Susan Miller
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I will never forget all the books on the back stairs that Kathy had read for the week.
Dan, Laurie and Daniel Hellman
Roger,
We send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this trying time and you will all be in our prayers. May God bless you.
Dan, Laurie and Daniel Hellman
Jason Brill
Our prayers are with you and your family we are all lucky to have had her in our lives.
Len and Sue Benson
Dear Roger and Jennifer.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your Wife, Mother and Grandmother.
We were fortunate to have worked with Kathy at In Celebration of Golf for many years and her taste level, style and leadership made ICOG the leader in the golf market in America.
Kathy had the beauty inside and out, the caring and compassion for those she worked with and and an enduring optomism for life that affected all of us. For that we are grateful.
God Speed our beloved Kathy.
Len and Sue Benson
Don and Margaret Dyekman
Dear Roger and Family: We are so very sorry for your loss. We hope you will find comfort in the wonderful memories you have and in the examples of how Kathy lived her life.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Don and Margaret Dyekman
Paul Walker
Roger,
My thoughts and prayers our with you and your family during this difficult time. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Paul Walker
John & Pat Torre
Roger,
Our kindest thoughts go out to you in this moment of loss. Kathy’s love and memories shall surely always smile on you, until you meet again.
Sincerely,
John and Patricia Torre
T Alston
Please accept my condolences. May you find comfort in knowing that one day we will not suffer from sickness and death (Isaiah 33:24 and Revelation 21:3,4) We also have the grand hope of seeing our loved ones again by means of the resurrection (Acts 24:15)
Ken Templeton
Dear Roger,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. I worked for you at the Las Vegas In Celebration of Golf inside the Venetian Hotel. I believe I only met your wife on one occasion but you were a very important part of my life during the years that I worked for you. I am truly sorry for your loss and I wish I had heard sooner. Please know that the years I worked for you were very special and taught many life lessons. Through yourself, Scott Wagner, and KJ Howe I learned a wealth of knowledge about business and professionalism. Again, I wish you the best and feel free to contact me any time. Take care and God bless you and your family.
Ken Templeton