Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....May, Sister Joan January 16, 2009 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com August 30, 2013, 4:18 pm Portland Review - Jan. 25, 2009 Sister Joan May, 67, of Goodrich, entered into eternal life on Jan. 16, 2009 after a sudden and unexpected heart attack. Sister Joan was the 13th child of 13 born to William and Anna (Bohr) May, coming into the world on March 4, 1941 in Portland. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Mich. on Sept. 1, 1959 and was preparing to celebrate her Golden Jubilee marking 50 years as a religious sister. Sister Joan was a classroom teacher in many Catholic elementary schools through-out Michigan for 16 years, followed by 11 years as principal at St. Joseph’s School in St. Johns. In June of 1989, Sister Joan was appointed Pastoral Coordinator of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Goodrich by Bishop Kenneth Povish of the Diocese of Lansing; she offered 20 years of loving and dedicated service to the family of St. Marks. In addition to her many duties as Pastoral Coordinator at St. Mark’s, sister Joan was very active in the greater Goodrich area, serving on the board of Directors of Outreach East in Davison and the Goodrich Ministerial Association. She served on numerous Diocesan committees, such as the Pastoral Council, Education Committee, Diocesan Coordinating Committee, as well as committees inside of her religious community, such as the Sisters of Saint Joseph Vocation Vision Committee, and the Chapter Elections Committee, and was a trustee of St. Joseph Health System, Tawas. As a sign of their great love for Sister Joan, the people of St. Mark’s named the parish center )built under Sister’s leadership) in her honor. “The Sister Joan M. May, SSJ Parish Center” received its name during the year long festivities celebrating St. Mark’s 25th anniversary as a parish in 2003. Sister Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Elizabeth, Ruth, Mary Ann, Katherine and Dorothy, brothers Bill, Harold, Robert, Carl and Fred; dear friend and mentor Sister Marie Celine Allen, and many friends and loved ones. Mourning her loss and celebrating her life are best friends Sister Heidi King and Sister Rita Schafer;; all of the Sisters of St. Joseph; all of the people of St. Mark’s; countless friends and family members whose lives she touched, including sister Laurine Spitzley of Mulliken; brother and sister-in-law Leon and Jeri May of Portland; sisters-in-law Marie May, Germaine May and brother-in- law Don Spitzley; and many nieces and nephews, godchildren, and friends near and far. All who knew Sister Joan loved her deeply and she loved them. We sorely grieve her loss yet rejoice with her in the fact that this magnificent woman, “our shining star” is, without a doubt, dancing and singing in Heaven with Jesus and all of the family members, Sisters and friends who went before her. Join us in saying a prayer and raising a glass tour beloved Sister Joan, surely the celebration in Heaven is grand. “Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant.” God bless. We love you. Thee funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 19, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Goodrich, with Bishop Earl Boyea officiating. An additional funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 21, in Nazaureth, MI. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Nazareth. Contributions may be made to Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph or St. Mark’s Catholic Church. Condolences may be made at www.swartzuneralhomeinc.com. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/m/may22318nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb