Obituary: Maxine M. Schembri, 86, Caneadea

CANEADEA -- Maxine (Mulligan) Schembri, 86 of 7281 Country Rd. 46, died peacefully on Memorial Day (May 29, 2017) at The Highlands at Brighton Nursing Home, Rochester, NY following terminal illness. Born October 15, 1930 in Buffalo NY, daughter of Edward A. and Floy (Morehouse) Mulligan. In her youth, Maxine resided in Belmont, NY and later for a short time, with family in Caneadea, after, at age 15, she was suddenly predeceased by her mother. Following graduation from Belmont Central School in 1948, she was employed for a short time at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester in its coffee shop. She then served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1955 as a dental x-ray technician, and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of sergeant. She then settled in Los Angeles, CA with her husband Anthony (Tony) Schembri. She worked as a dental chairside assistant and x-ray technician for 36 years. In 1993, some years after the death of her husband, she retired and “came back home” to Caneadea. She volunteered her time and energy for several years persistently trying to save the East Hill Bridge, which spans the Genesee River, as it was slated for demolition. She was one of the original preservation organizers and remained the primary driving force which led to the “Save the Bridge Committee.” The perseverance of Maxine, Miriam Morton and others got the bridge accepted to the “State and National Registers of Historic Places” in 1998 which meant the bridge was saved. A $600,000 grant was awarded to restore the bridge and it was reopened in 2007. Allegany County government officials honored the citizens for their work. An official bronze Historical Marker still stands next to the bridge and outlines its history. (At present the bridge is closed because of structural damage.) Maxine had a phenomenal memory that stayed with her all the way to her last days. Her bright mind, with its rich blend of informal historian and preservationist, was indeed also a bridge. She told younger members of her family about their relatives and ancestors, and shed light on important things they had never heard of. Her bridge connecting the generations was solid for accuracy and reliability. Joys of talking with Maxine included her sense of humor, her “pronouncements” and/or opinions, and her laugh. Besides gardening, fishing and reading, Maxine enjoyed the appreciation and respect for the English language, which included her quiet and private writing of poetry. Predeceased by her husband, Anthony; her parents, her brothers and sister, E. Aldridge Mulligan, Elberta (Mrs. Gordon) Rich, Bernard, and Milton. Maxine is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Torres of Glendale, CA; her grandson, John Torres of Highland Park, CA and several nieces and nephews, William Mulligan, Mark Mulligan, Marleen Mocarski, Maxine Mulligan and Robert Rich; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Friends may call at the Treusdell Funeral Home, 65 S. Main St., Belfast, NY on Monday from 1-4 p.m., with service immediately following.