Ellen J. (O'Brien) May

ATHOL- Ellen J. (O’Brien) May, 63, of Petersham Road, died on Saturday morning, July 23, 2022 at Athol Hospital.

Born in Athol on September 23, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Bartlett J. and Ann (Laughton) O’Brien and grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School in 1977.

She was married to Bruce W. May Sr. for 40 years until his death on April 15, 2019.

Ellen was employed at the Orange Wal-Mart from 1995 until retiring in 2020.

Ellen loved spending time with her grandchildren, going to the beach, driving around, playing scratch tickets and going to estate sales with her son.

Ellen was instrumental with Billy organizing and planning the William J O'Brien annual community Thanksgiving dinner as well as being active participants alongside family members on preparing and serving the meal.  

Survivors include her children, Jessica Benoit, Bruce May Jr. and his wife, Becky, and Jeremy May, all of Athol; her grandchildren, Cole, Julia and Bree; her sisters, Kathleen Lincoln of Idaho, Betty O’Brien of Athol, Alice Martin of Texas, Mary Jardine of Athol, Margaret Tzikas of Athol, Rosemary Mataska of Texas, and Barbara O’Brien of California; her brothers, Timothy O’Brien of Washington, William O’Brien of Athol and Thomas O’Brien (Lianne) of Athol; and many nephews and nieces.

Besides her parents and husband, Ellen was predeceased by brothers, Daniel O’Brien in 1986, Robert O’Brien in 2004 and James “Jimmy” O’Brien in 2017, as well as a sister, Patricia O’Brien in 2019.

There are no calling hours.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Athol American Legion, corner of Exchange Street and Pequoig Avenue, Athol.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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