Maxine Hancock Faraoni of Mesa, Arizona passed away on August 16, 2020 at the age of 70. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend who spent her life in the service of others. Maxine was born in Safford, Arizona on September 11, 1949 to Max Gilbert Hancock and Angeline Clawson Hancock. Her family moved to Alameda, California; Flagstaff, Arizona; and eventually settled in Gilbert, Arizona when Maxine was 9. She attended Gilbert High School where she was involved in band and excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian of her class. Maxine met her husband, Melvin, while attending Brigham Young University. They were married on September 5, 1970 in the Mesa, AZ Temple and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
Maxine was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the church in many capacities, but her favorite was working with the Cub Scouts. Her most recent calling was as a missionary serving in the Bishop’s Storehouse.
Maxine’s favorite activity was spending time with her family, including attending every sporting event, concert, play, or other activity of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed family history work and we have no doubt that she has been greeted on the other side not just by family she knew during her life, but by countless family members whom she had never met, but “found” through her diligent searching.
Maxine was an angel on earth and was able to see the best in everyone she met. She is survived by her husband, Mel; six of their seven children: Mel (Dana) Faraoni, Michelle (Jason) Turcotte, Margo (Trevin) Edgeworth, Matthew Faraoni, Mark (Rachel) Faraoni, and Megan (Jeber) Villatoro; 19 grandchildren; two sisters: Evelyn (Grant) Harless and Pamela (Stephen) Fort; two brothers: David (Melanie) Hancock and Christopher Hancock; and lots of loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Michael Todd, her parents, and two grandchildren.
A viewing will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Bunker’s University Chapel located at 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at the LDS Church building located at 1455 N. Harris Dr., Mesa, AZ. Due to Covid-19 restraints, attendance at the funeral is by invitation. For those who wish to view the funeral service virtually, a link will be provided on Facebook or please send an email in advance to maxinefuneral@gmail.com and the link will be emailed to you. Interment will be in the Mesa Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her name to FamilySearch to further family history work. Donations may be made online at http://give.churchofjesuschrist.org/familysearch.
Our deepest condolences to Melvin and Maxine’s entire family. Maxine was a wonderful woman and obviously loved by so many. We are sorry to hear of her passing and send our love.
Mark and Julie Hancock
Our sincere condolences to Mel and the family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Our love and prayers goes out to all the Faraoni family. We grew to love them, and especially Maxine, as we were neighbors in the 80s. She was, and is, a true friend. What a great and Christ-like woman to aspire to be like!
Love, Mike and Chris Cooley
Our sincere condolences to the Faroni fsmily at the loss of such a sweet friend.
Our love, sympathy and prayers for the Faroni and Hancock families. We have been blessed by our friendship with Maxine and her family. May the Lord bless you with his perfect peace.
Love, Bob & Nancy Backus
Maxine and Mel are the hardest workers I’ve ever met….Maxine learned a wonderful work ethic from her wonderful parents. We were cousins by genetics, but sisters in heart. She and Mel made a lasting impact on my grandchildren when they taught in nursery in church! Blessings to a wonderful family
My love and condolences to Mel and the family. Maxine was a beautiful lady and such a joy to be around at the Storehouse. Loved her laugh, especially when she cracked herself up! I’m sure she is loved on the other side just as much as she was loved here. I am broken hearted for Mel and the family.
Maxine will be missed by so many of us. She was always laughing and ready to serve. They just don’t make them better than her. Our condolences to the family
What a sweet and extraordinary lady she was and is. I always felt such love and care from her in all of our interactions. I will always remember the fun games she taught us how to play at Margo’s parties. An angel is with the angels! Much love to an amazing family. You are and will remain in my prayers.
Maxine was such a fun loving lady. She loved her kids and grandkids so much. We had children that were friends. We would see each other at our granddaughter’s ball games and sit and yell and cheer for them. She was a great supporter to her grandkids at their sporting events. She always had a smile on her face and made you feel special. She was happy and sweet and a great mother in Zion. She will be missed by many. She touched many lives thru her love and example! My thoughts and prayers of comfort and peace go to her special loving family. It’s so hard to lose a loved one suddenly.
I just learned of Maxine’s passing and wanted to express my condolences to her family. Maxine was a dear friend and neighbor when I lived across from her and her family in Gilbert, Arizona. She was ALWAYS kind. I never heard a mean word from her and respected her greatly. We shared many experiences in church, at school, and in our neighborhood. I will always carry her memory in my heart. I am thankful to have known her.