Bette Jean May
Bette Jean May, nee Maguire, died on Thursday, March 27 at the age of 96. She was living in her childhood home in Lake Placid and was with her family and caregiver as she left this life.
Bette was born on June 25, 1928 to Mildred and Eugene Maguire. Bette graduated from Lake Placid High School in 1947. During her high school years, she was involved in the figure skating community and worked in the Lake Placid Arena. Skating was a passion for Bette throughout her life.
After graduating from high school, Bette continued her education at SUNY Potsdam. She graduated in 1951 with a degree in education. It was at Potsdam that Bette met her future husband, Arthur S. May. Bette and Art got married on Aug. 18, 1951 and moved to Poughkeepsie where they raised their family. Bette taught at an elementary school in the Wappingers Falls district for four years and then left teaching when she gave birth to her first of her four children. Bette returned to teaching 20 years later and retired from teaching in the Poughkeepsie Public School District.
In her retirement, Bette enjoyed ceramics and traveling with her youngest daughter. She and Art moved from Poughkeepsie to Wappingers Falls, Lake Placid and then Gold Canyon, Arizona. Bette returned to Lake Placid after Art died in 2010.
Bette was predeceased by her husband, Arthur and her two sisters, Nancy Lynch and Lola Van Woert. She is survived by her son, Kevin May and his life partner, Nelson Gonzalez Jr., who lived with Bette and cared for her for the last 15 years. She is also survived by her three daughters, Laurie, Bonnie (Elizabeth) and Tracy as well as two grandchildren, five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She had wonderful caregivers in her last years — Nelson and Heather Mihill-Ordway, who had great compassion for her. We appreciate their kindness and love they had for her. We also extend thanks to High Peaks Hospice for the care and guidance provided during Bette’s final days.
There will be no services. A burial will be planned in the future for the family. In Lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to High Peaks Hospice or the Tri-Lakes Humane Society.
The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com.