Helen Lucile Cecilia Kemper May, 83, died July 15, 2005, in the home she loved at 315 E. Pearl St., Butler, Pa., surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle during a lengthy illness.

She was born in Butler on May 20, 1922, a daughter of the late Aloysius John and Ida Christina Hinchberger Kemper.

Both her father's and mother's families had deep roots in Western Pennsylvania and Butler County. Mrs. May's great-grandfather Joseph Kemper immigrated to America from Germany and settled in Pittsburgh in 1843, witnessing the Great Fire of Pittsburgh in 1845. Later, his parents, Franz and Maria Anna Bonger Kemper, joined him in America.

Joseph Kemper established himself in the saddle, harness and leather business, eventually settling in Butler, and that business continued in a branch of the Kemper family into the 1970s. Mrs. May's maternal great-grandfather Christian Hinchberger was a Civil War veteran and commander of the local Grand Army of the Republic who helped to have Civil War-related memorials placed in Butler's Diamond Park.

Mrs. May attended St. Peter's Catholic School in Butler and was a 1940 graduate of Butler High School. The high school yearbook, "The Magnet," described her as: "sweet, lovable, accomplished pianist; ambition: to be a second Florence Nightingale."

Although at one time she had considered a vocation as a nun and later a career as an airline pilot, she decided on a profession in nursing. She graduated from Butler Hospital School of Nursing in 1944.

Mrs. May was employed at Butler Hospital, Magee-Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh and St. Francis Hospital in Miami, Fla. When she returned to Butler, she continued her education at Slippery Rock State Teacher's College and became certified as a school nurse. She accepted a job with the Butler School District; she worked at Institute Hill and Center Avenue schools and then Butler Junior High School.

She married Dr. Lawrence Herbert May on Dec. 30, 1946, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Butler, and later joined him for a time as office manager at the dental practice he established at 316 N. Main St. in downtown Butler. However, she believed her greatest vocation in life was as a wife, mother and homemaker, through which she continued her nursing skills, and provided care, comfort and assistance to family and friends.

As her confirmation name, Mrs. May chose Cecilia in honor of the patron saint of music, and music was one of her lifelong passions. As a girl she studied piano and voice with Esther McConnell, and she continued to play and sing throughout her lifetime, even in to her 80s. She loved the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Victor Herbert and Sigmund Romberg, especially his "Student Prince." Her keyboard showpieces included Albert Ketelby's "In a Monastery Garden" and Christian Sinding's "Rustle of Spring." Her favorite color was yellow, which reminded her of the bright flowers of springtime.

Another of her vocations was reading, and she was fond of the works of Charles Dickens and Gladys Taber, among others. She also enjoyed articles related to archeology. Swimming, doll-collecting and travel were also among Mrs. May's interests, as was history, and her memberships had included the Butler County Historical Society and Butler Civil War Roundtable.

Mrs. May was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Butler. She held her Catholic faith to be an anchor in her life and attended both Sunday and daily Mass. She had special devotion to the Blessed Mother, St. Anthony of Padua and St. John Vianney, whose intercession she credited with several miracles in her life. A first-class relic of that saint helped sustain her in her final infirmities.

Her husband, Dr. Lawrence May, a longtime member of the Butler School Board, preceded her in death on June 28, 2000. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. May was preceded in death by several infant children; a sister, Mary Catherine Kemper Roney; and a brother, Bernard A. Kemper.

Surviving are five children, Lawrence Michael "Mike" May of Pittsburgh; her caregiver, Patrick G. May of Butler; Mrs. Maryann F. Cella, her husband, Brian, and their children, Caitlin, Caroline and Robert Cella of Diablo, Calif.; attorney Thomas J. May and his wife, Deborah, and their children, Erik and Henry May of Butler; and William V. May and his wife, Pamela, and their children, Kemper and Alden J. May of Butler.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. John B. (Virginia) Duffey III of Butler and Mrs. Harry M. (Ethel) Hammond of Denton, Md.; a goddaughter and special niece, Dr. Ginney K. Duffey and her children, Tatiana and Viktor Duffey, of Franklin Park; a special family friend, Francis. J. Frank of Pittsburgh; a brother-in-law, Thomas Roney of Burlington, Vt.; and a number of other nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

MAY - There was no visitation. A private funeral Mass for Helen Lucile Cecilia Kemper May, who died Friday, July 15, 2005, was celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. James Murphy, a family friend, officiated. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, Butler.If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 51 Locust St., Suite 201, New Canaan, Conn. 06840, or the Butler Public Library.Please visit the funeral home Web site at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.