Obituary of Pearl Mae Maxwell

Pearl Mae Maxwell, 85, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2025, at Country Arch Care Center.

Born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Pearl was the daughter of the late Ezariah and Margaret Stecker. She grew up in Port Murray and was a 1958 graduate of Hackettstown High School.

A lifelong member of Anderson Methodist Church, Pearl was married there to the love of her life, the late Harry Clark Maxwell, on June 13, 1959. Together, they shared many years of devotion and raised three children: Harry Jr., Thomas, and Darlene.

Pearl worked for more than 25 years at Warren Hills Regional High School, where she retired as the cafeteria manager. She was also a member of the Mansfield Township Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary for many years as three generations of her family served the department as volunteer firefighters. 

Known for her creativity and generosity, Pearl was a founding member of the Anderson Quilters Guild. She had a passion for quilting and shared her craft with many, including her granddaughter who carries on the tradition. Her gardening and baking produced a lineage of both bounty and beauty for all those around her. Pearl loved to travel. She visited the Caribbean, Nova Scotia and explored much of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. She was an enthusiastic NASCAR fan attending a number of races over the years. She enjoyed puzzles and you could usually find one on her dining room table in progress.

Pearl is survived by her son Harry Maxwell Jr. and his wife Patricia; son Thomas Maxwell and his wife Dorothy; daughter Darlene Maxwell and her partner Matthew Nerbak; brother Ezariah Stecker Jr. and his wife Betty; cousin Pamela Slack and her husband Daniel; grandchildren Rachelle, Crystal, Maxwell, Lauren, Kathryn, Tyler, and Amanda; and great-grandchildren Brooke, Remilese, Milo, and Ruth.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of many years, Harry Clark Maxwell; her parents, Ezariah and Margaret Stecker; and her brother, Harold Stecker.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pearl’s memory may be made to the Mansfield Township Fire Company, 324 Main St, Port Murray, NJ 07865.

In accordance with her wishes, all services will be held privately. Pearl will be laid to rest at Port Murray Cemetery beside her husban.