Alice T. May

1926 - 2017

Alice T. May February 8, 1926 - November 13, 2016 For the past 9 decades, Alice May lived her life with joy and well ahead of her time. She graciously gave her knowledge, support, friendship and creativity to all she encountered. Born in Iowa in 1926, she was the beloved daughter of Dorothy Bartko and step father Andrea Bartko, a noted painter, sculptor and art instructor. She was the sister and best friend of her brother Howard C. Turnley of Oakland, debating with him frequently about the Sharks, 49ers, the SF Giants and the success of the Cal Bears. She spent much of her youth in South Dakota with her maternal grandparents surrounded by music and art, class and elegant manners and family love. A woman who loved mathematics, problem solving, politics and the financial world, she migrated to Northern California and the UC Berkeley Haas Business School where she graduated with a degree in business and finance. In the early 1960's she joined Dean Witter & Company, an investment banking and securities firm based in San Francisco. Her talent and penchant for finances and overall business acumen soon earned her a well-deserved promotion as the first woman officer at Dean Witter. Her position included the management of a $3 billion investment portfolio - an uncommon responsibility for a woman in the investment community in the early 1960's. She was a founding member of the Financial Women's Association, as well as the first women member of the San Francisco Security Traders Association. She married Thomas May, a lending officer at Crocker Bank (later acquired by Wells Fargo Bank) and the two 'best friends' had many a conversation centered on their shared interests in social, political and economic issues, as well as world travels and mutual dedication to volunteerism. Beyond her business career, Alice was very committed to the community in which she lived with much of her focus in the Sausalito and Marin County area. She was founder of the nonprofit Sausalito Salvage Shop, serving low income needs, past president of Sausalito Woman's Club, Board Member of the Marin Symphony and for many years supported a chair for one of the principal players. She was continuously supportive of arts and music including the San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Opera and the Sausalito Arts Festival. Her generosity frequently included the children of business friends and neighbors, whether it was to support a dream of education, bestowing gifts of plush leopard bathrobes for 7 year olds, watches to remember the times spent in Europe during a summer trip, or special gifts to let you know you were in her thoughts and heart. She sailed, she hiked, she bird watched, she was a consummate bridge player and prodigious mentor to women. Her curiosity of other cultures and travels took her to St. Petersburg Russia, Split Croatia, Peru and Santiago Chile, to Europe and Asia, returning home with memories and friends made along the way. Embracing all that life had to offer and ever the independent woman, she managed her life well to the end. Many of the friends she has embraced have talked about how she inspired their lives, set an example of a self-made woman, someone who was fun, but would also listen and support. If you would like to recognize Alice's influence or contribution to your life, we have established a scholarship fund that will finance education for nursing students in honor and thanks to the care givers from Right at Home and the Hospice by the Bay support Alice received during her short illness. Please send any donation to Traci Lanier c/o 10,000 Degrees (Alice T May Memorial Nursing Scholarship) 1650 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 110 San Rafael, CA 94903 (www.10000degrees.org - Creating college graduates who change the world).