Dorothy Lilian May nee Butcher 1915 - 2010

Dear Aunt,

The final link with the generation of either our parents or grandparents has passed away and along with the sadness there is joy. Joy of how lucky we were to have experienced the love and friendship from you. All of us, friends and family will have memories of you, for many of us there will be far too many to mention. I will share with you all one of mine.

I was about three years old and with my Grandfather. We had selected a bunch of flowers, all pretty colours, pinks and yellows. Later we were walking to your house, up Bright Hill which to a three year old that hill seemed like a mountain. At the door I was presented with the flowers and told that I was to given them to you. The door opened and I thrust the flowers at you, in true 3 year old style! That was the first bunch of Freesia's I gave to you and for the next 38 years I never visited you unless I had the customary bunch of Freesia's, because to arrive empty handed was not the "correct way" and you loved the flowers.

Yesterday we arrived into Surrey and I headed off to the florist, to collect the very final bunch of Freesia's. Having collected them I went to the Chapel of Rest where I laid that final bunch with you. As I stood with you yesterday I was overcome with such emotion, not just the sadness that you were gone, but many of those memories came flooding into my mind, the afternoons we spent together, the walks we took if the weather was nice, even down to you telling me to write clearer and sending my letter's back, so I could do just that. I was incredibly lucky to have experienced all those moments and memories with you, my Great Aunt.

I will truly miss you, and although you are gone, I know you still walk with me.

Love, as always

Julie xx

Sunday Obituary - Dorothy Lilian May nee Butcher 1915 - 2011

It somehow seems appropriate that I participate in this week's Sunday Obituary for Geneabloggers with the obituary of my Great Aunt.

From the Surrey Advertiser (Guildford Surrey Edition) 7th January 2011. This is the Announcement placed in the paper by my Cousin and her family.

"MAY, Dorothy formerly of Longore, Farncombe sadly passed away on 29th December 2010. Will be sadly missed by June, Ian, Kim, Lea, Dean, Nicky and family. Funeral service at Guildford Crematorium on 11th January at 11.00am."

To read more about My Great Aunt see an earlier posting & a further posting.

Dorothy Lilian May nee Butcher 1915 - 2010

Today has not been a good day. The last link with my Grandfather's family passed away this morning and has left a void that will be quite impossible to fill.

Born Lilian Dorothy Butcher in February 1915, the second youngest of a family of 12. Aunt was always known to us as Doll, the nick name given to her by her brothers because of her petite size. Whilst she was never a large lady in size she had both character and depth far great than anyone I have ever known.

Aunt married Richard May at St Nicholas Church Guildford in 1936.



Widowed in 1958 Aunt never remarried, but devoted her life to her son, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Whilst this posting may seem rather morbid, I didn't want to let Aunt's passing be unmentioned. I have some wonderful memories and in time, when I feel stronger, they will appear in this blog in remembrance of a true lady.

I was indeed very lucky to have had such a wonderful relationship with her, both as Great Aunt and as my Godmother. I will truly miss her. She is now reunited with her beloved husband,son and her siblings.


Photo taken May 2008.