Delores May Canney

Delores May Canney, born February 12, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio, died May 8, 2016, at her home in San Antonio, Texas, after a brave battle with heart disease and cancer. Both her children were at her side. Daughter of the late Anna and Leo May, and sister of Rose Mary Buchman and the late Leo May, Jr. and Raymond May, Delores is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Rose Mary and William Buchman; daughter and son-in-law Lora and Kent Zarbock, and son, Michael Canney; grandchildren, Abigail, Jacob, Nicholas, Mikko, and Finch; and countless other family members and friends.

Delores was a graduate of Union Township High School in New Castle, Pennsylvania. At the age of 17 she began her life-long career in nursing by entering St. Elizabeth's Hospital School of Nursing in Youngstown, Ohio. She was a board certified registered nurse and was recognized for her work as an occupational nurse at General Fireproofing Company. She also worked as an emergency room nurse and a private duty nurse. Her nursing career was interrupted in 1967 after having her children. In 1980 she returned to nursing full time at the Nix Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Her career there flourished and she was eventually nurse manager for the oncology unit. She retired from the Nix in 1996 but continued to work as an on-call supervisor at the hospital until 2000 and remained active in the Oncology Nursing Society, even serving on its board.

Delores's joy in life was her family and friends. Her children Lora and Michael were born in 1966 and 1967, respectively. She was a dedicated mother and always prioritized her children's needs over her own, never missing a school program or sporting event. She lovingly cared for her mother in her home for 10 years until "Mother's" death in 2002. She talked daily with her sister Rose Mary. Until her health made it difficult, she regularly traveled to Austin to visit her grandchildren. She was most grateful for the opportunity to visit with her youngest grandchildren in Austin in January of this year. She loved cooking and baking and hosting gatherings for family and friends, notably Thanksgiving dinner and a barbeque on the 4th of July.

Her social network was broad, maintaining close relationships with many of the doctors and nurses at the Nix Hospital until her death. She was a resident of The Towers and participated in many of the programs offered there. She was also an active member at St. Pius X Catholic Church, joining the congregation in 1976. She served on the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW), participated in the Friday afternoon bible study, and was a regular at the Adoration. Her Catholic faith was very important to her and brought her much hope and comfort.

A Rosary prayer service and vigil will take place at St. Pius X Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas (3303 Urban Crest Drive) on Friday, May 13, at 7:00 PM, followed by a Memorial Mass on Saturday, May 14, at 2:00 PM. A reception hosted by the PCCW will follow. The burial will take place separately at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the American Cancer Society (8115 Datapoint Dr, San Antonio, Texas 78229, 210-614-4211)https://donate.cancer.org/index, or the American Heart Association (8415 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78229, 210-616-0525) https://donatenow.heart.org.