MAXENE MAE BALAS (HOLLIDAY) was born on November 28, 1926 at Carmichael, Saskatchewan, the 2nd oldest in a family of 6 girls. She passed away on January 28th, 2012 at the age of 85 at her home in Okanagan Falls, BC. The Memorial Service was held on February 6, 2012 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Penticton, B.C. with Mr. Ross Gibson officiating. Maxene was predeceased by her husband George Balas (1989); her parents Flossie Holliday (1966) and Elmer Holliday (1952). She is survived by her children: Gregory (Hinton, AB), Holli (Larry) Platz (Christina Lake, BC), Kim (Carol) (Kamloops, BC) and Gaye (Arthur) Martens (Swift Current, SK); 3 grandchildren: Devon Balas (Edmonton, AB), Josserek Balas (Hinton, AB) and Alison Balas (Vancouver, BC); 2 great-grandchildren: Jaryd Taylor-Balas (Edson, AB) and Arianne Balas (Edmonton, AB); 5 sisters: June (Clifford) Evans (Penticton, BC), Doreen Smith (Keremeos, BC), Winona Hencheroff (Penticton, BC), Carole Miller (Omak,WA.), and Cleo-Dawn Holliday (Courtney, BC); 3 sisters-in-law all from Penticton, B.C. area: Rose Balas, Hannah Balas, Leah Iverson. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. The Holliday family is a large close-knit family that has enjoyed several reunions in the past 25 years. Maxene grew up and attended school in Carmichael, Sask. When she was 18 her family moved to Cawston, BC where she worked in the tomato fields and orchards there. She married George Balas on April 14th 1949 at Keremeos, BC. They resided a few years in Keremeos, where George operated a garage before they moved to Sask. in 1952 and took over the family farm south of Aneroid. They raised a family of four before selling the farm in 1973 and retiring to Summerland, BC. After George died, Maxene moved to Okanagan Falls where she resided until her passing. Maxene loved to garden and she could make a beautiful yard out of next-to-nothing, even on the dry Sask. prairie. In later years, as her health suffered due to lupus, she still cared for flowers on a smaller scale and had a beautiful little patio where she enjoyed spending her time in the summers. She was an avid curler in the early 70’s and curling was a family pastime. The family was also known for their softball abilities, where Maxene coached the Ladies softball club at Pinto River. Maxene loved reading. As a youngster she would read every book she could get her hands on. This eagerness helped her when she took a greater interest in the Bible. She had questioned her own faith so found it a simple transition to learn the truth the Bible teaches. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nov 1972. Maxene was always up for a discussion about the Bible, with a special interest in the prophecies of Revelation. She firmly believed in the Bible’s promise of a paradise earth, and looked forward to the time when sickness, pain and death would be a thing of the past. She had a firm conviction in the resurrection hope so looked forward to seeing her husband and parents again. She had a keen interest in other people’s opinions, and was always open to listen to their concerns. She was very generous and would try to help wherever she could. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.