August 29, 1930 - February 25, 2022 Service Date: A private graveside service will be held in the spring. Catherine M. May, 91, a longtime resident of Sanford, passed peacefully on February 25, 2022, at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford. Catherine was born on August 29, 1930, in Old Orchard Beach, the daughter of Carmine and Antoinette (Amatino) Proto. Catherine married her soulmate, Gerald L. May, on May 29, 1954, and they lived in the home that Gerald built from the ground up. It was here that they lovingly raised a son, Dennis, and a daughter, Patti. Though she worked several jobs, Catherine’s priority was making sure the family was well cared for. She attended Springvale Schools and was a dedicated employee of the former Goodall-Sanford Textile Mills until they closed in 1955. Catherine forged ahead and worked at Jagger Mills and then Tennford Weaving Company, retiring from Sprague Electric after 26 years. She was well liked by her co-workers and the many friends she made through the years. Catherine and Gerald enjoyed camping in their fifth-wheel camper, traveling from state to state. They also spent time exploring Alaska and spending their 50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. She was a happy camper and a longtime member of the Good Sam’s Camping Club. Catherine also enjoyed the Tuesday Breakfast Club at Walmart. She was blessed with luck and often won at bingo and other games of chance. Catherine is lovingly survived by her son Dennis M. May (Suzanne) of Coon Rapids, MN and daughter Patti Eames (Douglas) of Groton, MA; four granddaughters—Laura, Heather SuJing, Erica, and Amber, all of whom she loved to spoil; a sister-in-law Patricia Proto of NJ; and a brother-in-law Roger Clark of FL. She was predeceased by her husband in 2010, an infant daughter, and her siblings: Ludovico T. Proto, Carmine A. Proto, and Antonio B. Proto. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.