With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Maxine Pickering on October 7th, 2022, at age 56. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the summer of 2022 and fought the disease with grace, dignity, and courage. She passed away surrounded by family and friends at Scarborough General Hospital.

Maxine is survived by her beloved husband, Michael Fellows; parents Sadie and Nathaniel Pickering; daughter Taemika(Christian and Shylah) and son Raymond; Step-sons Dillon (Amara and Ajani), Marcus, Kody (Zavier and Liam), and Jhyred. Along with siblings: Dorrette, Eric, Audley, Vilma, Ainsley, Aubrey, and a host of adoring aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins—the tribe she loved so much.

Born on August 26th, 1966, in Westmoreland, Jamaica, she emigrated to Canada in 1976, where she attended West Hill P.S. and West Hill Collegiate. In 1997 she graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women’s Studies.

Versatile and adaptable to the ever-changing workforce, Maxine worked as an Implementation Consultant at Ceridian Canada for over 20 years—travelling throughout Ontario to support clients. Her colleagues and clients alike adored her and valued her diligent work ethic. Maxine was a pioneer in many ways and worked from her home office long before the pandemic made that common practice.

In her spare time, she was a gardener and an avid baker who crafted cakes that looked like works of art but tasted heavenly. She added something special to everything, from scrumptious cakes to immaculate gardens to magical family events.

Maxine was beautiful inside and out and lived life with gusto, grace, and kindness. Her energy was effervescent, and her gorgeous smile lit up every room. To know her was to love her. As her brother said on hearing the news, it was a “sad day for humanity.” We miss her more than words can express but know that we will meet her again in a new place and see her beautiful signature smile once more. We take comfort in the fact that she is with her heavenly Father in a place where there are no tears.

Her funeral will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at Pine Hills Cemetery & Funeral Centre at 625 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON M1K 1R1.

Maxine was incredibly community-oriented, so in lieu of flowers, we invite, you donate to Tropicana Community Services in memory of her via https://tropicanacommunity.org/donations/ .

However, if you would like to send flowers, we invite you to order them via Casa dei Fiori, Maxine's favourite local florist. https://www.casadeifiori.ca/