Obituary of Virginia May

Born: Virginia Margaret May on June 28, 1926 in Worcester, Mass. Died: Sunday, July 30, 2017, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY Daughter of John and Anna (Kelleher) May of Millbury, Mass. Sister Virginia was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1950, and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1957. She devoted herself to the life and Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for more than 65 years. Sister attended public schools in Millbury, graduating from Millbury High School in 1944. She attended St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester, Mass., graduating as a R.N. in 1947. Her first ministry was at St. Clare Hospital, NYC during which time she studied at St. John University, Brooklyn, NY, earning her Bachelor�s in Nursing in 1957. In 1958, Sister was transferred to St. Joseph Hospital, Providence, RI, where she served for seven years as a charge nurse. In 1965, Sister Virginia and three other Allegany Franciscans responded to the call to begin a mission in Bolivia, South America. She served as a clinical nurse and a health educator for 12 years. She returned to the United States in 1977, serving at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Infirmary, first as a nurse and then as the Director of Nursing. In 1981, Sister was transferred to St. Anthony Hospital in Winsted, CT, where she served as a staff nurse for the next 13 years. In 1994, Sister retired from active ministry; however, she served the Sisters in various capacities for the next 10 years in local convents in New York and Massachusetts. In 2004, Sister Virginia was welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Sister Virginia was predeceased by her parents; six brothers, William, Lonnie, John, Howard, Francis and Robert; and one sister, Helen P. Norton. She is survived by two brothers, Martin and Kevin; and nine sisters, Sheila Courchaine, Catharine LaPointe, Barbara Boria, Regina Bleau, Elizabeth Coleman, Grace May, Marion Falcone, Mary Congdon, Margaret May and Maureen May; as well as many nieces and nephews. A Wake Service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 2, 2017 in the Chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 3, 2107 in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, NY. house, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, NY.