May Freeman

The world became a slightly more hectic and less patient place on Friday, July 10th, with the passing of May Freeman (nee Nestor) at the age of 95, at her retirement community home in Landisville, PA. While small in stature, she was a giant of gentleness and peace to all of those privileged enough to know her. This peace served her well to the very end, as her last 24 hours were accompanied by a cacophonous visit by her five great grandchildren, three of her grandchildren and their spouses and her two daughters and son-in-law. Her room was rocking and full of the love, honor and celebration that her life merited.

May was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many throughout her life well lived. She was the cherished wife of Dan Freeman with whom she shared 64 years of life prior to his passing in 2018. Dan remarked many times about the amazing patience and forbearance May possessed and how she was his avid traveling companion in life. Now they are reunited to travel together through eternity.

May was at once a traditional wife and a modern woman, raising her two beloved daughters, while also working at the Atlas Powder company for over 40 years. She was a maker of the best PA Dutch dishes, from the favorites- pot pie, green beans and ham, meat and potatoes of all combinations, to the occasional (and slightly less popular) beef heart and pig stomach. She was an extraordinary baker and made the most scrumptious rhubarb custard, apple and basically any pie. She also made sure her daughters were given the opportunity to explore their varied interests, while supporting them quietly in the background with her legendary patience which was a hallmark of her life with her adventurous husband and vivacious girls.

May’s fortunate family includes Debra Angello and her husband Matt, Donna Schubert and her husband Eric; grandchildren, Daniel and his wife Lindsay, Joshua and his wife Alexis, Hannah and her husband Ricky, Kaitlyn, and Collin; great grandchildren, Gabriel, Sammy, Stella, Lily and Myka; sisters, Irene and Pauline.

She was predeceased by sisters Roxanne and Alice, brother Kenny and parents John and Verna.

May’s role in the life of her children and grandchildren has left an indelible mark on them all. Her grandchildren share joyful memories of how they would each spend a special week alone in the summer as young children, whereby May, known lovingly to them as Nanny, would play endlessly with them at the playground, tennis courts, with board games and anything else they desired, while never coming even remotely close to losing her legendary patience.

She was a remarkable and one-of-a-kind woman. She will be deeply missed by all.

Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 on Tuesday, July 14th at Kimmel Church of God Cemetery. Friends and family are welcome to come and share in the memory of May’s life.

Online registry and condolences at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com