Dorothy 'Dee' May, who lived in Pacific Palisades from 1971-91, passed away from heart failure on December 13. She was 85.
Although Dee had been divorced from her husband, Robert May, for many years, the couple was reunited two years ago.
After Robert's wife passed away, his daughters invited him to Thanksgiving dinner and beseeched him to go see their mom, which he did. 'I went to see her and found a different person,' he said, recounting how he began taking care of Dee as her health declined, and how the couple reconciled.
'It was a blessing,' Robert said. 'Her last words to me were 'Thank you for the reconciliation. You've given me a second honeymoon.''
Born on May 13, 1924 in Cleveland, Ohio, Dee studied nursing at Western Reserve University for a brief time, but found her true interest in politics and public administration. Through the 1960s, she was involved in political campaigns for three Ohio congressmen and served as a commissioner on a county park board in Ohio. Even when she had three small children at home, Dee was active as a volunteer with the League of Women Voters, PTA, Scouts and the Red Cross.
In 1971, she and Robert moved to Pacific Palisades with his job transfer. From 1973 to 1982, Dee was an associate with Robert's financial management consultant business. She also served on the Community Council and was treasurer and business manager for the Woman's Club. At the Palisades Presbyterian Church, she was active on committees and in the choir, and served on the steering group of the Vietnam refugee resettlement program.
In addition to her husband, Robert of Laguna Woods, she is survived by her children, Karen Kane of Riverside, Robert May of Chardon, Ohio, and Pamela Baillis of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Services were held Sunday at the Palisades Presbyterian Church.
