Maxine Porter Arnold of Essex, CT (previously of Naples, Florida, and Middlebury, CT) passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024. Born in New Britain, CT on September 4, 1926, she was the daughter of Maxwell Stoddard Porter and Rachel Parker Porter. She is predeceased by her husband, Charles G. Arnold of Middlebury CT, and her brother, Eliot Hale Porter.
Maxine was raised in New Britain, CT, and spent her summers at Fishers Island, NY. She graduated from Mooreland Hill School in Kensington, CT, Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT, and Bennett College in Millbrook, NY.
Along with her late husband, Charlie, Maxine loved to sing, dance, travel, and play golf with friends. She was past president of the Connecticut Woman’s Golf Association and played golf at Waterbury Country Club and Shuttle Meadow CC in Connecticut, Fishers Island Club in NY, The Wilderness Country Club, and Hole in the Wall in Naples.
Additionally, during her life, she was an active member of the New Britain Art Museum and was a deacon at the Union Chapel on Fishers Island.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Willard B. and Karen Soper of Lake Wales, Fl and Fishers Island, NY; Jared P. and Laurel Soper of Glastonbury, CT; John Maxwell and Berkley Soper of Vero Beach, FL, and Southport, CT; Martha P Soper and Tom Wilson of Concord, MA; as well as two stepchildren, Jonathan Arnold of Ashville, NC, and David Arnold of Dorset, VT. Additionally, she was the proud matriarch of 13 grand and step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a niece, and two grandnieces.
Maxine made good and lasting friends wherever she went. She loved spending her summers at Fishers Island with family and friends. She was an Island Treasure, and the Island was her Treasure.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:45 PM on July 19 at Fishers Island Union Chapel, 821 Crescent Ave, Fishers Island, NY 06390. The Rev. Dr. Rosanna Anderson will lead the service and Rev. Michael Spencer will give the eulogy.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Maxine Arnold to the Fishers Island Union Chapel and Island for Islanders, PO Box 192, Fishers Island, NY 06390, or the New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington Street, New Britain, CT 06052
