Obituary of Carmelita "Carmie" May

Carmelita Marie (Pound) May of Stratton, Colorado passed into eternal life on Friday, September 5, 2014 in her own home surrounded by her family. She was 83 years old. Carmie was born on April 3, 1931in Omaha Nebraska. She was the fifth of six children, born to an English father Jay, and his Irish bride Orriah. Their home was very close to the campus of Creighton University, the Jesuit College in Omaha. Just a few blocks from St Johns Catholic Church, the family grew up in a very traditional catholic environment. Carmie's early years were filled with both joy and love, but also more than the normal share of heartache. Carmie lost two of her brothers before she reached her 16th birthday.One brother Lieutenant Donald Pound was killed in WW 2 in a heroic battle where he saved his platoon while taking enemy fire on himself. Another brother Tom, contracted a rare illness and died leaving two small children, who Aunt Carmie basically adopted as her own. Carmie had to grow up pretty fast, but her life was filled with love from a great family. The family owned Pound Abstract Co, and her father insisted on traveling on family trips. By the time she reached college, Carmie could boast of having been in all 48 of the lower states. She went on to attend Creighton, and received a BS degree in 1952. A few years later, on St Patrick's Day, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends, Carmie met the love of her life James M May. They were married on April 12, 1958. To this union were born six children, Jim, Dan, Tom, Steve, Mary, and Ed. They spent their first year in Colwich, Ks Jim's home town, and then moved to Stratton in 1960. It was quite a change from the large home in bustling Omaha to the small farmhouse 15 miles south of Stratton, but Carmie was too busy having babies and raising her family to notice or complain. Her entire life was consumed by what she loved most, raising her children and making sure they knew their faith, and to provide everything she could for her children and her husband. She loved the Friday night Stratton football games, especially when sons or grandsons were on the field. Carmie taught for many years in the religious ed programs, as her family grew up. She was active in Altar & Rosary, and many local organizations, especially school and church activities. Carmie was very involved in the design and building of the St Charles rectory, CCD center, and prayer parks. Carmie's legacy to us will be that she put all her energy into being the best wife, mother, and grandmother, that she could be. She felt this was the most important job in the world and she succeeded in every way. All of Carmie's immediate family were able to be with her for the last day of her life, and we're very grateful to all who helped us to care for her in her own home until her death. She is preceded in death by her husband Jim of 54 years. Brothers Jay, Donald, and Tom Pound, one sister Mary Ann Lebens. She is survived by one sister Trudy Tighe of Omaha, her six children , Jim and his wife Imogene of Stratton, Dan and his wife's Becky of Greenwood Village, Co, Tom and his wife Kim of Stratton, Steve and His wife Valerie of Stratton, Mary Kale and her husband Mike of Buena Vista and Ed and his wife Denise of Highlands Ranch, CO; 16 grandchildren: Matt May and his wife Jennifer of High River, Alberta Canada, Jessi Lenz and her husband Darth of O'Neill, NE, Zachary, Alyssa, Josh of Greenwood Village, Todd (Denver), Jordan, Kyle, Sara (Stratton), Adam (Calgary, Canada), Phillip & wife Leah (Denver), Samantha (Burlington), Christopher and Nicole Kale (Buena Vista), Ashley and Allison (Highlands Ranch); three great grandchildren Ryan, Lisa, and Molly of High River Canada. And many more extended family and friends.