originally posted on 1/22/2021
1962-2020
Photo: John Maxwell Collection. View full-sized image.
Lisa M. Maxwell, ACE member of Springfield, Vermont, passed away at home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020, at age 58.
Born Lisa Woltjen in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Lisa was raised in East Brunswick and earned a master’s degree in interpersonal communication from West Virginia University. While at WVU in 1982, she met the love of her life, John “Duke” Maxwell, fellow New Jerseyan, and they were married in 1987. Soon after, Lisa and Duke moved to Claremont, New Hampshire, and eventually across the river to Springfield, Vermont. A certified guidance counselor, Lisa also worked as a cartographer and teacher of remedial English.
Though they shared a love for roller coasters, Lisa and Duke took their time in finding ACE and spent their early married life on road trips across North America and attending Grateful Dead shows. Finally in 1997, the Maxwells became ACE members and attended their first event, the 1997 Summer Conference in their native New Jersey at Morey’s Piers and Clementon Park. They found immediate friendship with so many ACE members and, particularly for Lisa, favored the social aspects of events and park trips. Lisa became everyone’s welcoming hostess, confidante, chat pal and social secretary. Many in ACE fondly recall meeting Lisa as new members themselves and of her sincere interest and kindness.
Still, Lisa did her share of riding. She was particularly fond of the more traditional style wood coasters. Knoebels’ Phoenix, Geauga Lake’s Big Dipper, Cedar Point’s Blue Streak and The Great Escape’s Comet were among her favorites of 729 coasters ridden. Lisa had said she would ride anything once, though repeat rides might have lessened after a certain age. Lisa and Duke attended Coastin’ by the Ocean every summer at Morey’s Piers, turning each year’s event into a full-fledged family reunion with the regular circle of friends and always looking to make new ones. The pair had also taken several bus tours with the Coaster Zombies club, among which Lisa became known as the “tie-dye lady” by virtue of her work in producing the club’s famous T-shirts. She was a lifelong cat mom, voracious reader and crocheter. Lisa shared an exceptional sense of humor with her husband, which often involved alternate personas: to name but a few, the Baroness Lily Von Staple and Betty Buzzbar, or together they’d travel as the unassuming Max and Rose Immelmann, much to the entertainment of friends. Lisa also assisted her husband with administrative duties for the Vermont No Coaster Club, from its inception until the organization was forced to disband upon the opening of Vermont’s first mountain coaster in 2010.
A celebration of life for Lisa Maxwell will be held later in 2021. Donations in Lisa’s memory can be made to the Springfield (VT) Humane Society, or your local animal shelter.
- Mark Davidson, ACE New Jersey Assistant Regional Representative
Photo: John Maxwell Collection. View full-sized image.
LISA MAXWELL REMEMBERANCES
Although I didn't know Lisa very well, she and I had some pretty deep conversations over the years hanging out on park benches when we were done riding for the evening. She loved all of the travelling that they were doing back then, but there were already things starting to slow that down a little bit, which was frustrating for her. I know that she was always very kind to me and remained positive about life even when her own health was kicking her ass and how very much she loved Duke, doing everything she could to be at park and social events even when she was struggling. I didn't realize how much I missed her until she came to Peg and May's going-away party at Cheri and Bob's.
I know that the world is a little darker and colder without her, but I also know that she is doing all of the things she wants — no more bench warming.
- Rachel Floyd Fox
She was a great person to be around. She will be missed terribly.
— Shannon Sommerville
Lisa Maxwell and John were one of the first couples Peg and I met when we joined ACE and Coaster Zombies. Since then, they became part of our circle of friends who get together for noncoaster events, such as weddings (our own included), funerals (too many) and parties. They were there at a farewell party before we moved to Hawaii. Lisa and John were huge supporters when I was recovering from the car accident and leg amputation. In fact, they retrofitted their van when I was at the convalescent center, so I could attend a wedding of two friends at Lake Compounce. We have many happy memories of times spent together. We are very saddened by her much too early death. Lisa was a wonderfully kind woman. John, our thoughts are with you, and we are deeply sorry for your loss. May Lisa rest in peace.
- May Coryell
@#$%&!
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