May Ella Hersey formerly of New City went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the age of 94. May was born in Conde, South Dakota on November 1, 1923 to Arthur and Jessie (Cunningham) Hersey. The family relocated to Rockland County when she was 3 years old and most of her life was spent in New City. May graduated from Spring Valley High School at the age of 16 and went on to receive her teaching degree from New Paltz State Teachers College in 1944. She taught school for 32 ½ years, spending the majority of that time teaching 4th grade at Chestnut Grove Elementary school in the Clarkstown Central School District. During that time she forged many life-long friendships with staff and students who were inspired by her creativity and love for learning.
May played several instruments including the piano, organ, accordion, clarinet and guitar. She attended the Grace Conservative Baptist Church in Nanuet for many years where she taught the Rainbow Sunday school class and played in the handbell choir. May enjoyed spending her summers at the family cabin in Gilboa, NY. , maintaining many close friendships in that community especially at the Flat Creek Baptist Church where she often played the piano and taught vacation bible school. She also enjoyed traveling and visited many parts of the United States in addition to England and Nova Scotia all of which are well documented in scrap books which told of all her adventures.
May’s artistic talent was evidenced in her numerous arts and crafts projects which included needle point, quilling, sewing, calligraphy and making handmade cards. She enjoyed nature and often used pressed flowers and pretty colored leaves in her projects. May also was an avid gardener and enjoyed baking. She opened her home to friends and family in need of a place to stay or simply to stop by for a visit over a cup of tea and homemade cookies. May’s warm smile and genuine laugh were contagious. She helped cheer all who visited her even in the in the final months of her life when a stroke had left her totally dependent on others for her care. May’s personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit were evidenced in the love and grace with which she lived out her life.
May was predeceased by her parents, her sister Viola, her brother Ben, a niece Shirley, a nephew, Arthur and a great nephew. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lilian Hersey, and her many cherished nieces and nephews; Joan(John) Patterson, David(Karen) Lull, Virginia Lull, Richard(Rose) Hersey, Joyce(Ray) Byrd, June(Dave) Bodden, Debbie(Steve) Ekholm and Dawn(Gerard) Falborn as well as many great and great great nieces and nephews.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
There will be a private graveside service for the family. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse.
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