About Maxine Faraoni
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.