Dorothy Shannon (Dottie) May

MAY Dorothy Shannon (Dottie) May, age 97, of Columbus, Ohio, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, July 10, 2016. Born on September 6, 1918 in East Saint Louis, Illinois, she was the beloved only child of the late Lee R. and Nell T. Shannon. A true daughter of the Midwest, she attended Saint Mary’s Academy in South Bend, Indiana and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She received a bachelor’s degree in business education from The Ohio State University in 1940 and went on to be a high school business teacher in Clyde, Ohio and then at St. Augustine’s in Lakewood, Ohio. She valued faith, family, and friends. She was a firm advocate for her family and had strong opinions but always remained loyal to those she cared for. After retiring, she gave numerous hours to volunteering. The only child of Firestone's chief comptroller, her family moved frequently during her youth, and she saw much of the country, even attending the birthday party of Al Capone’s son who was staying in the same hotel. As a student at OSU, where she met her husband, Dottie loved going dancing and took full advantage of campus life. Dottie eventually made her home in Ohio and put down formidable roots in the state, where many of her descendants still live. Her presence there kept the family anchored, with many large holiday gatherings over the years. A devout Catholic, she regularly attended church and she left this life ready to rejoin beloved friends and family. Her love of the pope and Riverdance were unparalleled. A passionate teacher and good listener, even as she aged, she remained feisty and stubborn in the best way. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, R. Eugene May, her daughter-in-law Patricia Gregg May, and son-in-law George D. Kyriazes. Left to recall her memory, she is survived by her six children: Dr. Eugene S. May and Ileana Gonzalez, Mary Ellen (May) and Don Carr, Margie (May) and David Rawn, Jim May and Mary Steed-May, Sheila M. May, Terri (May) and Gary Rosenthal; grandchildren: Kathleen (May) and Paul Ventling, Michael G. May, Karen (May) Thorp, David May and partner Amber Miller, Max and Nancy (Leu) Rawn, Nora Rawn, and Owen Pollack and Joe Hancox: great-grandchildren: Tullia Ventling; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. The family thanks her devoted home aides Lorie Branche and Sally Owusu-Kwarteng for their kindness caring for Dottie. Family will receive friends on Monday, July 18th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 20 E. Dominion Blvd., Columbus, OH 43214. A Graveside service will be held 1 p.m Wednesday, July 20, at Holy Cross Cemetery, 14609 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH, 44142. Contributions in her memory can be made to local Birthright or Catholic Charities organizations. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.

Dorothy Shannon (Dottie) May

September 6, 1918 - July 10, 2016