Elizabeth Jane "Betty" May, 78, of Wanatah, IN, formerly of Chicago, IL passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Valparaiso, IN. She was born November 1, 1946, in Three Rivers, MI. Betty was the ninth of eleven children born to Michael & Evelyn (Malinski) May.
Betty was a talented quilter and many family members still own pieces of her artwork that she lovingly made for them over the years. She made her career in the Shipping Department of Marshall Fields in Chicago for over 30 years. Having received the award of "Field's Finest" remained a source of pride for her. Betty was a lifelong devout Catholic, which was something that brought her comfort in both good times and more difficult times. She loved to read (especially romance novels) and also loved movies. She was fascinated by Kevin Costner to the point of vacationing in South Dakota to explore terrain where he filmed “Dances with Wolves”. In later years, she became a big fan of Hallmark movies as well.
Betty was loved by everyone lucky enough to be in her circle. Her many nieces and nephews, as well as their own spouses and children, all remember her fondly and have many stories to tell about their times together.
Survivors include her siblings: Lorraine Ruetsche, Theresa May, Edward (Mari Anne) May, Dolores May, Charles (Maureen) May, and Margaret (James) Brzozkiewicz as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary Ann (May) Leiper, her brothers Donald, Joseph, Robert, and Richard May, her brothers-in-law John Leiper and Charles Ruetsche, and her sister-in-law Dorothy (Radewagen) May.
A private burial and blessing will be announced at a later date to be held at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Cemetery, Niles, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
