May Henwood
May Henwood passed from this life peacefully Tuesday, May 18, 2010 in California just two days before her 98th birthday. “Maysie,” as she was called by her friends, enjoyed a wonderfully active and full life. She spent her last years in Cambria, where she loved living near the ocean and all the wildlife. She was known to her Cambria neighbors as ‘the friendly lady who carried her little poodle’ as she walked around the neighborhood.
May was born in Scotland and spent her childhood in England. She and her family moved to Canada and then back to England a number of times. She was one of the survivors of the Athenia, the first passenger ship torpedoed in World War II. After her marriage to Jerry Henwood in 1942 in Dearborn, Mich., May spent most of her working years in banking in Pennsylvania. May and Jerry spent their retirement years traveling around the U.S. in their motor home and relaxing in Arizona, where she loved the hot weather, exercising in the pool and great friends.
May was a fun-loving, warmly generous and gentle soul who loved all animals dearly and all types of exercise throughout her life. She was an avid poker player, wonderful dancer and outstanding bowler. May had a twinkle in her eye, great smile and sense of mischief about her that endeared her to everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her.
May is survived by her daughter, Molly Thorpe and her husband, Harry; son, Roger Henwood and his longtime partner, Sheila Snyder; grandson Jerry Henwood; great-grandson, Jerry Jr.; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling will be Thursday, May 27 from 4-7 pm at Eastlund Funeral Home in Syracuse. Service will be Friday the 28th at 11 am at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Union Cemetery, Syracuse, where she will be buried next to her husband.
May will be laid to rest next to her husband Jerry in Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in May’s memory to the Homeless Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T.), 1500 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428, where May enjoyed many hours of playing with the kitties there.