Shirley L. May, 85
Shirley Lou (Seaman) May, 85, formerly of Port Charlotte, Florida died on at 8:14 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 after a period of declining health. She had been residing near New Bremen since July. She was born on Jan. 7, 1935 near Bern (Hamburg) Pennsylvania, the middle daughter of the late Raymond H. and Catharine M. (Metz) Seaman.
On March 20, 1954 she married Larry K. May, who survives near New Bremen. Also surviving are her children Cynthia ( John) Cook of Bradenton, Flroida, Kay (Randy Searight) May of New Bremen and Timothy (Vicki) May of New Bremen; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson and a sister, Joan Moyer of Newmanstown, Pennsylvania.
Along with her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by a son, Keith R. May; infant brother Donald Seaman; sister Doris Leiby and a great- grandson.
Shirley was born and raised on the family farm near Bern, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and was a 1952 graduate of Hamburg High School. Shirley was a devoted wife and mother and loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother. As a preacher’s wife, she was very involved in the life of each church they served — singing in the choir, being a part of women’s groups, being a Sunday school teacher, assistant church secretary and assistant organist over the years. Most recently, she had been an affiliate member of the Burt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda, Florida. In addition to being a homemaker, she also worked at Florida Abstract & Title Co. of Port Charlotte, Florida in the land contract division for 13 years where she always had a smile and they called her “Sunshine”.
Travel was a big part of her life, especially trips to visit family and attend important events, always with a camera in hand. Throughout her life, Larry and Shirley made it a point to travel the world – across the United States, Canada, eastern and western Europe, the Mediterranean, parts of the Middle East and Central America. She was an adventurous person and could always be talked into doing crazy things like getting on a Razor kick scooter, zip-lining, riding motorcycles or drinking a big mug of beer at the Hofbraeuhaus in Munich.
Shirley will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and being a simple, kind-hearted lady.
Services are pending at this time. Inurnment will take place in the St. Michael’s Union Cemetery in Berks County, Pennsylvania at a later date. Memorial contributions in memory of Shirley can be made to the Wilson Health Home Hospice at 1081 Fairington Dr., Sidney, OH 45365 or the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 11330 Burnt Store Rd., Punta Gorda, FL 33955.
Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen is assisting the family and online condolences to the family can be left at GilbergHartwigFH. com.