Joyce May

Joyce Frances May passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, Robin and Lisa and son in law, Greg on October 7, 2021 at age 90. Joyce is predeceased by her husband Ronald Boucher May, parents Edwin Arnott and Grace Arnott Reynolds, and her siblings Mary, Edwin, and Grace Reynolds. She is survived by sister June Reynolds, son Robin May ( Deborah ) and daughter Lisa May-Lee ( Greg), grandchildren Elke May and Sean Lee and Brendan Lee. Joyce was born in Windsor, Ontario on Oct 24, 1930. A child of the Great depression she was always frugal but very generous and sympathetic with anyone who needed help. She was athletic and very academic but was not afforded the opportunity to pursue her gifts beyond high school. What advanced education she did not receive she gained as an avid reader. She worked at Avro in Toronto and Ford in Detroit and taught ballroom dance as a young woman. She was both very down to earth and an early feminist and a stunner as a beauty queen when she choose to be. She married Ronald May in 1957. He passed away just months before their 50th anniversary in Victoria, British Columbia in 2007. Their marriage was a constant adventure as Ron was in the Canadian military and they travelled throughout Canada, Europe and the US. During that time they embraced the culture of wherever they lived. They made many friends amongst the military and the locals alike and became enthusiastic skiers. Retiring from the military after 30 years, Joyce and Ron moved to Angel Fire, New Mexico in 1979 where they began their second act as Four Seasons Property Management. In addition to running their business Joyce and Ron helped establish Music at Angel Fire, ran several Volksmarch events, and Joyce worked at the Veterans Memorial, became an EMT,  and ski instructed. In 1994 Joyce and Ron finally retired to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. There they busied themselves with local politics, genealogy, travelled, golfed and enjoyed the company of other retired military friends. When Ron passed Joyce lived in Seattle for 8 years where she enjoyed the company of Lisa and her family. In 2016 she returned to Angel Fire to be with Robin and his family and a quieter life. She lived at Taos Retirement Community for the last 3 years of her life where she received compassionate care from the staff. Joyce will be buried alongside her husband Ron at the Veterans Cemetery ( Gods Acre)  in Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada (near Victoria) in the spring of 2022 with family attending. A gift will be established by the family to honor Ron and Joyce May and one of their favorite endeavors in Angel Fire New Mexico. The family would be delighted to accept donations in their honor.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com