Mary E. May

Mary E. Jensen May, 95, of Princeton, died peacefully at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Perry Memorial Hospital, Princeton, surrounded by family members. Born Mary Eileen Devine on March 6, 1918, near Deer Grove, IL, she was one of eight children of William and Catherine Devine. She attended St. Mary grade school in Sterling then the “Advanced” Country School. She was a speaker at her 8th grade graduation. She attended Bishop Muldoon High School in Rockford for two years, staying with her maternal grandmother. After her grandmother’s passing, she returned to complete her high school education at what is now Sterling Newman Catholic High School, graduating in 1936. She was awarded a scholarship to St. Mary’s of the Woods College. She taught in the St. Mary’s grade school in Sterling for three years. She married William P. Jensen on November 22, 1939 in Tampico, IL, in a ceremony performed by her uncle, Monsignor John McGuire. Mary and Bill moved to Princeton in 1941. Together they would have ten sons, William, Robert, John, James, Gary, Gregory, Lawrence, Kevin, Thomas, and Steven. Mr. Jensen died on September 6, 1961. She then married Harry W. May on December 30, 1973. He died on September 11, 1989. Surviving are nine sons, William (Judy), John, Greg (Joanne Sheldon), and Larry all of Princeton, Robert of Chicago, James (Teresa) of Plano, Gary (Deb) of Dublin, Ohio, Thomas of Peoria, and Steven (Pam) of Rockford. She is also survived by one brother, Robert (Virginia) Devine of Rockford, a very special niece Mary Ann (Michael) Velasquez of Rock Falls who was raised by the family from birth to age two, 24 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Also preceding her in death were her parents, one son, Kevin, four grandchildren, three sisters, and three brothers. Mary began working at Perry Memorial Hospital in 1960 as a Nurse’s Aide during her husband Bill’s illness. She would continue working there for 32 years during which she would become a Ward Clerk. After retiring from Perry Memorial Hospital, she would continue helping others by serving as a Home Health Care Aide for many years. She would also receive training and became a service provider of the Bureau County Hospice during this time. She continued helping others well into her eighties—frequently serving clients who were younger than she. Through her work at the hospital and in home health care, she would become well-known for her caring and compassion for others. Raised a devout Catholic, Mary was a long-time member of St. Louis Catholic Church dating back to the year she and husband Bill moved to Princeton. At the time of her death she was the oldest member of the St. Louis parish. She was a member of the St. Louis Altar Guild and the Council of Catholic Women. Her husband Bill was a Trustee of St. Louis parish at the time of the construction of the current church. Despite tragedies and losses that befell the family including a tornado that destroyed the family farm buildings in 1959, a fire that destroyed the family home in 1960, the loss of her first husband a year later, and the tragic losses of a son and grandchildren, Mary held firmly to her faith and always trusted that our Lord had reasons for these events. Even in what seemed like the darkest of time, she would point out to family that there were still reasons to be thankful and hopeful. Mary was a proud member of the DAR, obtaining membership after a 30 year journey into her ancestry. She was named Princeton’s “Mother of the Year” in 1960. She was also a long time member of the Bureau County Home Extension, the Perry Memorial Auxiliary, the Bureau County Senior Citizens Association, and the Princeton Elks Lodge 1461. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 11 at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Father Jeffrey Stirniman officiating with Deacon John Murphy assisting. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Sterling, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton, with a rosary at 7:45 p.m. Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr. Martin Faber, Father Jeffrey Stirniman, the nurses and staff at Perry Memorial Hospital and Colonial Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, and the Alternatives for Older Adults for their compassion and care for our beloved Mary during the past year. Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com

Mary E. May

March 6, 1918 - July 6, 2013