Marjorie Ellen May

Marjorie Ellen May, 89 of Harbor Springs, died May 10, 2018.

She was born April 26, 1929 in Big Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Nettie (Spicer) and William A. May.

Marge proudly served as a Sergeant in the United States Army from February 1951 until January 1955, most of her time was spent in Germany. She was active in the Army Tennis team. Marge bought her first car while overseas and traveled all over Europe during her service in the Army. She later enlisted with the United States Marines and served an additional two years for her country.

Through the G.I. bill, Marge was able to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education from Eastern Michigan State University. She was certified to teach all Kindergarten through 8th grade classes, and high school level special education classes. She worked at the Alanson public schools as a special education teacher for over 30 years.

She loved local history and learning all about the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Over the years, Marge had collected an impressive amount of Native American artifacts that she donated to North Central Michigan College and can be seen on display in the Student and Community Resource Center lobby.

You could often find Marge browsing at a neighborhood garage sale or enjoying a beautiful northern Michigan day out with her camera. She was a talented photographer. She was active with her church family at the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs, the Retired Teacher's group and the VFW.

She was a founding member of the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society and the first ever donor to the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. She was on the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Stewardship Committee for Little Traverse Conservancy where she helped to manage the volunteer pool that cared for LTC’s preserves in the early days and created the first nature preserve guide in the 1980’s. She was an active volunteer with Little Traverse Historical Society, Hospice of Little Traverse Bay, The Women’s Resource Center’s safe house, The Little Traverse Bay Humane Society and the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council where she generously donated 20 acres of property of Lawrence Lake for educational purposes.

Marge is survived by her nephew, Michael (Melinda) May of Grandville, Michigan; great nephew, Scott May; great niece, Madelyn May; friends, Lynn (Gary) Buffington of Alanson, Michigan; Caryl D. Williams of Williams of Rio Verde, Arizona; Craig Davis of Phoenix, Arizona; Linda Heller of Greensboro, North Carolina and Munro Lake, Michigan; Linda Badalucco of Bliss, Michigan; Gloria Parker of Stanwood, Michigan; the wonderful staff at American House; and other close friends.

She is preceded in death by parents; and siblings, Bertha, Harold and Clara.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Marge’s favorite charities listed above.

There will be a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs on Wednesday, May 30th at 11:00 a.m. with a one-hour visitation prior to the service.

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