Joan Clare May

In Loving Memory of Joan Clare Schnieders May
With heartfelt sadness, we share the passing of Joan Clare Schnieders May, who left us on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Born on June 18, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Joan's life was a beautiful tapestry woven with devotion to family, a passion for photography, and a heart full of generosity.
A proud graduate of Seton High School, Joan's early years were marked by a joyful spirit and a flair for thoughtful details-skills she first showcased while working at Penny's. Her gift-wrapping talents later became legendary among family members. Her beautifully wrapped Christmas presents, complete with carefully crafted bows, were a yearly delight-each one a small masterpiece of care and love.
In the 1960s, Joan brought her warmth and grace to Piedmont Airlines, working in reservations. Shortly thereafter, she met John Clark "Red" May, and they were married in 1962. (This year they celebrated 63 years of marital bliss.) It was in 1970, alongside her beloved husband, she found her true calling. Together, they built a photography business that blossomed into a lifelong passion. Joan's artistic eye, dedication, and studies earned her a Master of Photography degree in 1992-an honor held by only a few in Kentucky at the time. She was a proud member of the Kentucky Professional Photographers Association and left behind a legacy of images that captured the beauty of life's most cherished moments and nature's gifts.
Joan's zest for life reached far beyond the viewfinder of her camera. She was a natural on the water, an avid skier, and the undisputed queen of campfire breakfasts-her hearty morning feasts were a highlight of every camping trip. Her love for the beach, especially the sun-kissed shores of Sanibel Island and Siesta Key's Turtle Beach, was a source of endless joy. There, she delighted in collecting seashells, later transforming them into thoughtful, handmade gifts that carried a piece of the sea to those she loved. For over a decade, Joan cared tenderly for her mother in Siesta Key, offering unwavering love and support throughout her journey with Alzheimer's-a testament to Joan's deep compassion and strength.
She had a deep love for road trips and a special fondness for lighthouses, often embarking on cross-country adventures with John by her side, camera in hand, capturing the quiet strength and beauty of each beacon she found.
Joan's faith was the guiding light of her life. She was a devoted member of Saint Agnes Church for over 50 years.
She is survived by her adoring husband, John Clark May; her children, John Clark May Jr. (Jack) and his wife Cindy, Janis Clare May (Jan) and Eric, and James Carter May (Jay) and his wife Leslie; her treasured grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley), Maggie, and Lexi, and great-grandchild, "Baby Boy" May. She is also lovingly remembered by her brother, Jerome Schnieders (Jerry), and his wife Janet (Jan), as well as sisters-in-law Mary Ann and Sharon.
Joan now joins her parents, John Henry "Whitey" Schnieders and Margaret Vonderahe Schnieders, and her beloved brothers, John H. Schnieders III (Jack) and James J. Schnieders (Jim), in eternal peace.
Joan Schnieders May lived a life full of grace, laughter, and love. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew her-in every photograph, every shared memory, and every act of kindness inspired by her beautiful spirit.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Catholic Charities of Louisville in Joan's memory (https://cclou.org/donation/ ).