Merle Lee Maxwell

DR. M. LEE MAXWELL, passed away Feb. 4, 2025, aged 83 years. The loving partner for 36 years and devoted husband for 10 years to Michael M. Prunty, beloved son of the late Merle E. and Ruth (nee Bates), dear brother of Dale (deceased) (wife Janette), treasured uncle and great-uncle. 

Dr. Maxwell was a psychologist who in 1971, along with Rico Palatta, founded the very successful Positive Education Program (P.E.P.). 

Donations in memory of Lee suggested to The Cleveland Museum of Art; The Cleveland Orchestra; or the Miami University of Oxford, OH. 

Relatives and friends will be received on Saturday, March 8, 2024, from 11 AM - 12:30 PM at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Rd.). A Memorial Celebration of Lee's life will begin at 1 PM. Private interment was held in the Lake View Cemetery Community Mausoleum. 

Lee Maxwell was born and raised in Homeworth, Ohio on May 19th, 1941. He was educated in the public school system and was always proud of that. After high school Lee was accepted at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he completed his bachelors and Masters'.Degrees. Afterwards, he earned his Doctorate in Psychology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He met Rico Palotta in 1971, and they designed a program for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents which became the Positive Education Program (PEP). Lee continued on as the clinical director of PEP for over 35 years. In 1978, Lee and Mike first met at a surprise birthday party for a mutual friend. From that night on, they were practically inseparable. In 2014, they were legally married in Maryland. 

Over the years they traveled extensively in the United States and to many other countries on a yearly basis. In addition to traveling, Lee had many interests, including classical music, theater and anything to do with the arts. Lee and Mike made over 60+ trips to New York City to see Broadway shows, visit museums and get together with Mike's uncles Joe and John. Dinners with Joe and John were particular highlights of their trips, as they often introduced Lee and Mike to their best friends (who often had theater connections). They met some lovely New Yorkers over the years, and those evenings were particularly priceless to them. In the 90's, Lee and Mike got involved with the Cleveland International Piano Competition and were on the host committee to welcome the contestants when they arrived in Cleveland. They were always amazed at the wealth of talent that arrived at each competition, and forged friendships with contents that have lasted long after they returned to their home countries. 

Lee was also on many piano board committees, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Lee enjoyed entertaining, whether for a small dinner party or a large New Years Eve party. A week wasn't complete for Lee without getting together with friends. Lee lost his long battle with Parkinson's Disease on the morning of February 4, 2025.