May Johnsen

May was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, September 30, 1923, to Bertram and Annie Fox. May was one of seven children.

After completing her formal education, May began working for Royal Daulton China hand painting fine bone China. With the beginning of World War II, May went to work at a munition factory, loading 20mm Cannon Shells. May often recalled the hard fact that during every shift a young woman lost fingers or a whole hand when shell primers detonated during the loading process. She believed herself to have been very lucky.

During the US Military build-up in England prior to the Invasion of Europe, May met Charles (Chuck) Johnsen, an Army Mess Sergeant. They married on September 1, 1945.

As a young war bride May traveled to the United States during 1946 on the Queen Mary. She arrived in New York City, traveled to Yakima, Washington, and, then joined Chuck’s family at her new home in Selah, Washington. Chuck followed her to Selah when he was discharged from the Army a few months later.

May and Chuck were graced with two sons, Christopher (1947) and Grant (1950).

After her arrival in Selah, May worked at the Little Chateau restaurant and, later, at the Airport Chateau restaurant, Yakima Airport. She and Chuck opened The Lincoln Avenue Café in 1962, Yakima, which they operated until Chuck’s death in 1969. May was the general manager of Hickory Farms, Yakima, and Hickory Farms, Valley Mall in Union Gap, until she retired. She attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Yakima.

May is preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her son, Grant, her parents, Bertram and Annie Fox, her sister, Lily, and by her brothers, Bert, Stan, Albert, and Roy. May is survived by her son, Chris, her sister and brother-in-law, Ivy and Jack McCormick, numerous nieces and nephews, to many of whom she was more a mother than an aunt, and her dear friends, Beverly Davison and Phyllis Watson. She loved her wonderful caretakers and friends at Highgate Senior Living and Covenant House Adult Family Home.

May was fun loving and had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved to sing and dance. She always made a fashion statement. She was a true joy to be around. She touched many lives and was loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Her family is very grateful for the care that she received at Memorial Hospital Hospice, Cottage in the Meadow during her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Yakima, or Memorial Hospital Hospice. Internment will be private graveside service.