Norma Jean (Peters) May

Norma Jean May passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024 at her home in Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids, MI.  Previous to her life at Porter Hills, Norma resided on Union St. NE for nearly 60 years.  She was born on September 29, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan.  Daughter of Milton Peters (1902 – 1971) and Leonora Madsen Peters (1902 – 2000).

Norma was preceded in her death by her beloved husband A. Roy May, who died at age 90.  She was also preceded in death by her sister Delores Dutmers and her niece Vonnie Felix and her nephew Edward May.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry A. May and Deborah Orr May of Ann Arbor and her grandson Elliott Orr May and his wife Lauren May (Stanko) of Granville, OH, and by her great-grandchildren Ezra S May and Bexley Orr May. In addition, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved and of course her loyal cat, Bebe.

Throughout the years, Norma volunteered her time to Butterworth Hospital, Lincoln School, Porter Hills Village and her churches: Central Christian Church for 30 years and Second Congregational Church for 45 years.  She was a proud graduate of Central High School; she and Roy walked down the aisle together when they graduated there in 1941, and they were active in organizing class reunions over the course of the next 65 years.

Norma and Roy were married in 1945 upon his return from WWII service in the Eighth Air Force in Great Britain and Germany. During his service he spent 19 months as a prisoner of war in Stalag 17B, Krems, Austria.  Throughout their marriage of 67 years, Norma and Roy enjoyed travels to nearly every state in the U.S., as well as multiple trips to Europe.  They also participated in nearly 10 POW and Veterans reunions in both the U.S. and abroad.

A funeral for Norma will be held at the Second Congregational United Church of Christ, 525 Cheshire Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI  at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a Memorial Gift to one of the following:

Emmanuel Hospice: 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 263, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Porter Hills UMRC Foundation: 3600 E. Fulton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Second Congregational United Church of Christ: 525 Cheshire Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

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