MAY

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 05:10:40 :

San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, October 2, 2001
A 15

MAY, Carmella R. -- A resident of Mill Valley, died unexpectedly on September 26, 2001, at age 85. The first American-born child of a large immigrant Italian family, Carmella was also a child of the Depression, an event which shaped her life-long compassion for those less fortunate and those who were victimized by the recycling bigotry of twentieth Century America. At a time when few women even dreamed of finishing high school, Carmella matriculated from Penn State University at the age of twenty, then went on to obtain her Masters in social work from Bryn Mawr, all the while working to support her mother and younger sisters. When World War II broke out, Carmella joined the Red Cross and worked in military installations on the East Coast, where she met her husband, Naval Chief Petty Officer Charles G May. The couple lived overseas after the war, began raising a family, then, in the 1950's, Carmella returned to social work with family service agencies and State Hospitals back East. In 1967, Carmella embarked upun a magical 22 year career as Chief Psychiatric Social Worker at San Francisco's Center for Special Problems, where she helped establish the State's first methadone program, counselled gay men and women (at a time in which homosexuality was securely locked away in America's closet), as well as provided support and encouragement to transsexuals, transgenders, drug addicts and persons whom the rest of society chose to ignore and ostracize. Carmella was a soldier who could constantly be found at marches and rallies opposing war, the death penalty, the destruction of the environment, and in support of liberty and justice for all. She travelled the world, and was particularly fond of her visits to Italy, Africa, the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba. Carmella had a passion for music and was a long time subscriber to the opera. Friends will recall her delightful and lavish dinner parties, which were never catered, and which featured unbelievably delicious desserts, all made by Carmella. In retirement, Carmella devoted much of her energy to these passions as well as to her six grandchildren, all of whom will miss her dearly. A very special woman has passed, as all who shared this world with her know. Carmella is survived by her four children, Joy, Robin, Tina, and John; her grandchildren; and her sister Mildred. A memorial service will be held October 14, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Marin, 240 Channing Way, San Rafael. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom or the Nature Conservancy.

Keaton Mortuary
1022 E Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 (415)-453-0571