Kathleen Newell May

Since she was a young girl, Kathleen was known as “Punky” to all who knew her well. Punky was the daughter of the Honorable Edward G. Newell and Elma D. Newell. She was born and resided in the Palm Beaches throughout her life.

Punky attended Palm Beach High School where she played tennis and made many lifelong friends. She then travelled to Gainesville, where she was a student at the University of Florida. Punky forever remained a loyal Gators fan.

As a young woman Punky was proud to work in the early days with Eastern Airlines, as the assistant to the regional representative. She became an esteemed leader of the community that she loved, serving as a member of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and volunteering with many other organizations such as The American Red Cross, Memorial Presbyterian Church, and the YWCA. She was also known to throw a great party and was a fierce competitor on the tennis court.

In her early fifties, the Honorable Harry Johnston suggested Punky “get off the courts” and come work for him as a district representative. She did just that, and enjoyed an impactful, fulfilling, and exciting career in the district office of a Florida state senator and district representative for three United States Congressmen until she was seventy-nine years old.

Punky loved spending time with her friends and family, which included her beloved dogs. Punky’s family loved her for her tenacity; her enduring sense of humor and competitive spirit which served her well through any personal or physical hardship. Despite her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren living all over the country, she stayed connected with each of them.

Punky is preceded in death by her parents, brother, the Honorable Emery J. Newell, grandson, Sean Cameron May and daughter-in-law, Jo Ann May. She is survived by her children, James Damon May, Karen May Smith (Mark), Carl Douglas May (Barbara), Natalie May Brown and Kathleen Ann May (Jeff); her grandchildren, Eric Andrew Rubin-Smith, Patrick Riley Smith, Marshall Stewart Brown, Victoria Paige Smith and Tyler David Brown; and five great grandchildren, Macie Marie Brown, Eden Ariella Rubin-Smith, Ella Aviva Rubin-Smith, Eitan Asher Rubin-Smith and Philomena Jade Pimentel.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Big Dog Rescue Ranch in support of the veteran's dog training program at www.bdrr.org or the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org Visit www.Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Cremation and Event Center to leave condolences or memory to the family.