Maxine Wilhelmina (Stobbe) Hocking was born Oct. 12, 1912, in Saginaw, Mich. to Emil Stobbe and Effie May Catrell Stobbe, and died Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in Venice, Fla., at the age of 99.

At the age of 17, Maxine took a bus by herself from Saginaw to Chicago and began working for Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) where she was an executive secretary and retired after 47 years. Maxine was married to Milton E. Baker from 1936 to 1953. They were members of Third Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Ill., where they were active in the youth group providing games and cookies to the youth who worked at area hospitals in Chicago. Milton predeceased Maxine in 1953 of a sudden heart attack while on vacation. Maxine came back to Chicago and lived with her pastor, his wife and their family and earned her liberal arts degree from University of Chicago in 1958.

Maxine met and married Henry Erskine in 1977, and they lived in Highland Park, Ill., for a time and then moved to Venice, Fla., where they built a house in Plantation. They traveled extensively and were both amateur photographers and members of the Photographic Society of America. Henry predeceased Maxine in 1983.

In 1984 Maxine married John Girvin Hocking, and they resided at Village On The Isle in Venice, Fla. John died in 2003 and Maxine remained at Village On The Isle until her death.

Maxine was a member of Venice United Church of Christ, Venice, Fla., and was one of the ladies of the Esther Circle. She was on the Day Care Board at Venice United Church of Christ and held every position in the Women’s Fellowship. Maxine loved to read and do crossword puzzles and will be remembered for her infectious smile and caring ways.

Maxine is survived by her stepdaughter, Elaine (Hocking) Cramer of North Carolina; a stepgranddaughter, Darcy Dibert of Ohio; her lifelong friend, Frances Bokirk of Illinois; and many friends who will miss her dearly.

Services: Inurnment will be at Chapel Hill Gardens West in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. A memorial service will be held at Village On The Isle in the Renaissance Room at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 28.

Contributions: Donations may be made to Venice United Church of Christ or the Salvation of Army.