Mary Maxine Osborne Koceja, 90 years old, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away at her home in Murray, Utah surrounded by her loving family on September 1, 2016. Born May 2, 1926 to loving parents, Charles William Osborne and LaPreal Terry Osborne in Draper, Utah. She was married to S.H. "Bud" Koceja for over 50 years.
Maxine loved being surrounded by her family and always had a meal for anyone who happened to show up in her kitchen. You would never leave her house hungry or it was your own fault. She was famous for her potato salad, her hash browns, chip beef, banana bread and homemade cheese cake to name a few. Her grandchildren loved cooking with her because she let them do it no matter what kind of a mess they made. Sleepovers were the best, playing games and going "bumming" on adventures with her and grandpa Bud. Her children were her whole life and they loved her.
Maxine was a hard worker, having many jobs in her lifetime from the Dept. of Defense during
WWII, managing the Windmill Café in Murray (all the cops knew her and would stop in for coffee), KFC, William Volker and Amjac Window Shade departments, and sales for bridal dress manufacturers were some of her many passions and pursuits. Maxine was an election judge for Murray City for many years. She was instrumental in starting little league football in Murray, and was a baseball coach "insisting every boy should have a chance to play."
Maxine is survived by her children Wayne (Peggy), Warren (Florianne), Martin, Paula Homer (Rick deceased), Karla Pyle (Billy Joe Taylor), Darrin, 17 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and two great- great grandchildren, and brother Terry. Preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, son-in-law Rick Homer, granddaughter, grandson, and great grandson.
Graveside services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 1:00 pm. Visitation at 11:30 am at the same location.
Special thanks to her daughter Karla for her years of loving care and for her granddaughter Lyric for assisting with her comfort during her last days.
