Suzanne Carol May

Suzanne passed away on April 30, 2024 after suffering a stroke as a complication of heart valve surgery 5 months earlier. Her loving husband of 56 years, John May, was by her side as she left her earthly body and moved to heaven.
Born in Amherst, NY on January 4, 1944, Sue was the youngest of 13 children (yes...13). She was raised on a farm, and was particularly fond of her childhood dog Daisy, a feisty Pomeranian. Sue was always a hard worker, skipped 3rd grade because she was so smart, and graduated from Sweethome High School at 16 years of age. Sue was the first person in her family to graduate from college when she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from SUNY Brockport in 1965 and later received her Masters of Education in Guidance Counseling from SUNY Buffalo. Sue taught 3rd grade at Mullen School in the City of Tonawanda, before resigning to become a full-time mother. She thrived as full-time mom and was always there for her kids, providing wonderful guidance, discipline, and support. After her children were old enough, Sue returned to the workforce, this time as a guidance counselor for North Tonawanda schools. Retiring in 2001, Sue and John moved to and began living their retirement dream in Fountain Hills, Arizona in 2002.
Sue was a 50-year long ambassador for Christ and introduced many people to her Christian faith. She was very active in the pro-life movement in Western New York and had a passion in volunteering for and financially supporting Sonrays Ministries in Buffalo. We are so proud of how Sue unapologetically advocated for unborn children and at-risk mothers. In Arizona she was a regular at Cornerstone Family Church, and especially enjoyed the sermons given by Pastor Tony Pierce.
Growing up being something of a tom boy...Sue participated in athletics throughout her life. She was a stand-out softball player and was a tennis enthusiast for decades. She also loved to downhill ski. In Arizona she also regularly swam and walked. Another major passion for Sue was bridge. Sue played bridge throughout her adult life, but really “turned it up a notch” while retired in Arizona by both becoming a highly ranked bridge player herself as well as coaching and teaching others the finer points of the game.
In addition to her husband John, Sue is survived by 3 children Michael, Michelle, and Lisa. Sue was a loving grandmother to her 6 grandchildren Madison, Aaron, Emily, Ethan, Finn, and Aiyla. She is also survived by a sister Delores Thuman. Her hugs, kisses, and “pets” will be sorely missed by her four grandogs. We will all miss her deeply.
Cremation services will be handled by Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary and a celebration of life will be announced in the months ahead.