Obituary of Amy Y. Maxwell

Amy Young Maxwell, age 42, died on Friday morning, June 2, 2017. Her loss was unexpected as she had, in recent months, shown positive signs in recovering from treatment for a meningioma brain tumor. Amy was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted at 5 months old by Meredith and James Maxwell. Her beloved brother, Jonathan, joined her family 2 years later and recently moved to Buffalo to be near her. Amy arrived to her excited parents in Chicago's O'Hare airport and in her short 42 years enriched the lives of all who knew her. It was an exciting day that she became a citizen and stood as toddler waving an American Flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with others celebrating citizenship in what was to be her adored United States. She loved people and was always there for others. She loved her family, her friends and this great Nation she had traveled so far to be part of. She was a lifelong student graduating from Lockport Senior High School 1993 and furthered her interest in people and the world at American University in Washington D.C. She continued to take courses at Niagara Community College, the University of Buffalo and most recently was working on certification for Medical Coding, as part of her work at Independent Health of Buffalo. She helped to organize "Revitalize Buffalo" and wrote a number of articles stressing the positive aspects of young people remaining in Western New York and the Buffalo area. Amy was a graduate of the "Leadership Buffalo" program and was named in 2012 to the "40 under 40" most outstanding young professionals in Buffalo. Her ability to organize brought many lives together and she always ended her emails with "the bond that makes your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's lives". Amy brought so much joy to the lives of those who knew her. She liked cooking and trying new recipes… the "food channel" was a favorite. She loved kayaking with her brother in the many waterways found around Western New York. She enjoyed traveling, especially with friends and to be with family, and loved family reunions. Amy frequently traveled to New York and Washington to be with her cousins and enjoyed Broadway shows and presentations at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Her talents and interests were limitless. She enjoyed playing piano when she worked for Hospice in their education department. She was always ready to fill in when an organist was needed at church. She sang at many weddings, recently for a friend's wedding in the Fingers Lakes. She loved snow skiing and tennis, was a wonderful swimmer and especially enjoyed hiking in the Niagara Gorge. She leaves her parents, James and Meredith (Merry) Maxwell of Bear Creek, PA, her beloved brother, Jonathan of Buffalo, her extended family and many precious friends. Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday June 6th from 5-7 PM in Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 75 East Avenue, Lockport, followed immediately by a Memorial Service with Rev. Sherri Schaus officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to WNY Hospice (her former employer) at 225 Como Park Boulevard, Cheektowaga, NY 14227, or Medina United Methodist Church, 11004 W. Center St., Medina, NY 14103. Online Condolences at www.pruddenandkandt.com.