Setford, May Nellie
(July 11th, 2024)
March 26th, 1925 – July 11th ,2024
May’s family is sad to announce her passing in the early hours of July 11th at Jubilee Manor in Nelson at the age of 99.
May was born in the seaside resort town of Brighton, Sussex, England to Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jones, the eldest of four children. She left school at the outbreak of the second world war and moved away from home to work on munitions for the war effort, whilst her younger brother and sister were evacuated to the safety of Yorkshire.
Returning to Brighton near the end of the war, May met her future husband, Tom. They were married in 1945 and moved to worthing with their young daughter Carol, later moving to Crowborough where they owned and operated a shoe repair business with May’s brother Bob. After taking early retirement they emigrated to Canada in 1980 to be close to their daughter, son-in-law and grand-daughter Julie.
On one of their many camping trips, they fell in love with Balfour, purchased a home there and enjoyed lakeside living till sadly Tom passed away in 1990. May then took up quilting and became a member of the Nelson day group where she made many new acquaintances. She travelled to various quilt shows winning several ribbons and trophies and always bought fabric just in case it would be needed one day. She was proud to have been involved with making the 100-year commemorative banner for the St. Michaels’s and All Angels’ church in Balfour.
May was a cat lover, and over the years had a grand selection of Siamese, Burmese and Gingers along with plain old tabbies, and was delighted when she moved into Lake view village in Nelson, that she could take her beloved Sandy with her. After 10 years there and in declining health, May moved to Jubilee Manor where she loved to join in with the music, signing and remained “sweet and spicy” as the staff described her, and she absolutely had her moments saying exactly what she thought of everything and everyone. Her granddaughter Julie could never push her wheelchair at the right speed. It was either to slow or too fast, and she constantly told Julie to do something with that hair!
May was predeceased by her husband Tom, sister Margaret and brother Peter, but is survived by the brother Bob in the UK, and many nieces and nephews in Canada and England. She is also survived by her daughter Carol, son-in-law Tony (Avis), cherished granddaughter Julie and her husband Mike (Poetsch) as well as her treasured great-grandson Tom (Bryson).
The family would like to give many thanks to Dr. Janz, and the dedicated staff of Jubilee Manor for their Kindness, compassion, patience and wonderful care given to May in her four years there. Cremation has taken place and interment will be held later when her remains will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Tom in the Nelson cemetery. Together again.
