Joan Elizabeth May1931 - 2017Joan Elizabeth May passed away surrounded by her children on November 24, 2017 in Kenosha, WI. Joan left us suddenly. While this rocked family and friends to their core, Joan’s faith in God allowed her to transition with remarkable strength and poise. Despite these heartbreaking circumstances, Joan’s focus continued to be on the well-being of her family. At 86 years young, she was the beloved and omnipresent matriarch of 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.Joan and her twin brother Joe were born on April 4, 1931 to parents Laura and Joseph Pertel in Chicago, IL. Growing up, the 2 were inseparable. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Nursing, married and started a family. Joan raised her children in Trevor, WI and worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Catherine’s Hospital, Westosha Emergency Center and Kenosha Memorial Hospital until she retired in 1996. Joan was fully committed to her faith and family. She never missed an opportunity to welcome the newest member of her family into the world and offer her assistance wherever and whenever possible. Joan was the personification of selflessness. Whether caring for family and friends or those she tended to as a nurse, Joan always put the needs of others before her own. Her kindness and unrelenting benevolence endeared her to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.She was a copious reader who relished quiet time alone with her Kindle, devouring fiction, non-fiction, biographies and current events. She spent each morning walking along the Kenosha lake front enjoying the views of Lake Michigan with her dearest friend, Sue Laprade.Joan was preceded in death by her parents, twin brother, her son James “Jim” May and grandson Brendan May. She is survived by siblings, Marion (Bob) Daileader, sister-in-law Marsha Pertel, Richard (Patricia) Pertel, children and partners, Kathleen Jaglin, daughter-in-law Mary May, Steve (Diane) May, Mary Beth (Jerry) Langley, Tim (Jennifer) May, and Christine Anderson (Dave Considine).A private mass was held for Joan on November 25, 2017. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Church, 5804 Sheridan Rd, Kenosha, WI. Entombment will follow. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory 5111 60th St. 262 654 3533 Visit & Sign Joan’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com