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Karen May Obituary
Karen Johnson May, friend, educator and the strongest woman that we know, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on February 9, 2024. Born July 26, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Ellis and Eleanor Johnson. Beloved wife of 55 years to Prescott W. May Sr.; loving mother of Prescott W. May Jr., Jason May and Kathryn (Jeffrey) Simons; adored grandmother of Vincent May, Joseph May, Eleanor Simons and Lillian Simons.
Karen received her undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut and her Masters Degree in Education at the University of Southern Connecticut. Karen began her career in teaching as a special education teacher in New Haven, CT. During her time there, she met her future husband, Prescott, at a party. He describes her acceptance of their first date as an "amazingly good thing." They married soon after in April 1968.
Karen and Prescott raised their children in Southbury, CT. While the children were young, Karen took leave from teaching to be with her children. Always full of energy, she also was a selfless volunteer to the community. She not only carpooled for her children and their friends but served as a car service for many of the elderly in the community to help get individuals to errands and appointments. She was an enthusiastic member of the Southbury Cultural Arts Committee and served on the Southbury Board of Education for two terms. She opened her home to anyone who needed support, a warm meal, or a comfortable bed. She thrived in helping others.
Karen returned to teaching as her children grew older. After several years at schools within the Pomperaug Region #15 School District, she was asked, as a learning specialist and academic guide for gifted students with learning disabilities, to spearhead the development of the Moorhead Academic Center at the Taft School. She served as the Director of the Moorhead Academic Center for twenty years. Students and parents continued to reach out well past her retirement to thank her for her teaching, support, and encouragement to believe in oneself.
Her retirement was brief but filled with friends, books, NY Times puzzles, and meals with Pres Sr. and Jr. She defied the odds in her survival. Karen's warmth, strength and love will be greatly missed.
Karen and the entire May family were extremely thankful for the care that Dr. Alfred Lee and the Smilow Cancer Hospital of Yale New Haven Health System provided over the years. In lieu of flowers, Karen would have loved for donations to be made to the Classical Hematology Program at Yale School of Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/departments/classical-hematology-at-smilow-cancer-hospital
We look forward to celebrating Karen's life with a memorial service in the upcoming months.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Marybeth Schmaling
March 3, 2024
Karen May, what a beautiful lady what an educator. Throughout the years karen was there for my children Jonathan and Megan. She was a positive force in my children's lives while attenting PHS. She was such a cheerleader for their academic sucess, and in later years, when we met, she was so kind asking about their careers as they moved on to college and raising thier families.
Martine Cura
February 25, 2024
Mrs May was there for me when my Gram passed away suddenly and always taught me to be a good student and friend I will miss her very much RIP Mrs May my condolences to the May family
Stephen Kelly
February 25, 2024
mrs may was my high school teacher I used to clean her house for several years then I moved to South Carolina in July 1998 she will be missed her a lot I knew her whole family I will be praying for you al Stephen Kelly
Kimberly weissmann
February 25, 2024
She was my teacher and she was like another mom to me
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Maura Buegess
February 25, 2024
She was my high school teacher. She help me through my mother's death & coping with the pain. She was the best teacher ever. She will be missed by all.
Stephen Kelly
February 24, 2024
I am Stephen Kelly I had mrs may in school and I used to clean her house then I moved to Lancaster. SC in July 1998 I knew her whole family I read the voices newspaper every wednesday so that is I knew about her death I will be praying for her entire family Stephen Kelly
Jason Zhao
February 24, 2024
I am sorry for your loss. Mrs. May was the coolest and kindest person I knew at Taft. She always drove her little red race car and as an international student, she made Taft feel like home to me.
Danielle Slawitschek
February 21, 2024
She was a Amaizng, kind, sweetest women. She was my family´s neighbor for ever since I was a little kid and growing up. We will miss her so much
McKenzie Yerkes
February 18, 2024
I only learned of Mrs. May´s passing on Feb 16, but coincidentally I was thinking about her on February 13 while giving blood. As a student at Taft, I remember she would always join the blood drive announcement to talk about her experience receiving transfusions and the importance of donating. I tried to donate blood for the first time because of her, and continue to donate when I can. Her warmth and generosity will be missed by everyone she touched.
Pete Irving
February 16, 2024
As a struggling student during my lower-mid year at Taft, Karen wrapped her arms around me and gave me the confidence to tackle a fast-paced curriculum. She beamed in the newly designed Moorhead Academic Center, a world-class facility worthy of her passion and dedication to all students - from kids with severe learning disabilities to ones looking to go from good to great. Within a year, I had hit my stride academically and she delighted in my success. Cheers to Karen's legacy as a self-less educator and a woman for all seasons.
Gordon Atkins
February 16, 2024
I remember when the Moorhead Academic Center opened -- I was a student at Taft and, frankly, felt somewhat apprehensive and vulnerable about going there. That feeling, however, quickly dissipated when I met Mrs. May for the first time. Her presence and sincere interest in mentoring students cultivated one of the warmest spaces on campus, a haven for students. I can only imagine how many students she positively impacted over the years. I will always be grateful for her support.
Alexis Wells
February 13, 2024
Mrs. May tutored 2 generations of my family. Every member of my family adored her and I look back on the time I spent with her fondly eating oranges while practicing math or making cookies in celebration of passing a test we had been working on. She was invited to family functions and my aunt´s wedding and always arrived with a smile and a hug. She helped build us into the adults we are now and her passing has affected all of us more than I can put into words. The Sharp and Wells family loved you Mrs. May and we will always remember you, rest in peace.
Derek Mirabilio
February 13, 2024
Dear Prescott and the entire May family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. Mrs. May was the reason I graduated from high school. She taught me to believe in myself. Her kindness, joyful smile, patience, love, generosity, and warm presence were beyond measure. One of my most fond memories was talking about all the joys of life while having tomato soup and grilled cheese in her kitchen. After graduating, we stayed in contact for the next two decades. We had our regular Sunday phone calls. She was truly an angel in life as she most certainly is now in heaven.
With all my love,
Derek Mirabilio
Alice R. deak
February 12, 2024
Ed and I are so sorry to hear that Karen has passed away. She was such a wonderful person and a good friend. Karen and I were sorority sisters at UConn and shared good times with her and Prescott and their children . Written with love from Ed and Alice Deak
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