<br> May left the Napier Technical College after two years and in 1928 started work at Briasco's Umbrella factory. She was there at the time of the 1932 earthquake, and the factory was one of the few city buildings left standing. After selling Lifebuoy soap with Else door to door in Napier, in 1934 May went to work as a live-in housekeeper for a Mrs Menzies at Poraite. Finding Mrs Menzies rather much of a slave driver, May moved to a farm at Maretotara as cook-housemaid. When Laura left for Auckland, May gave up her job and returned home to care for Grace. After 1941 when Grace's health improved, May took some part time jobs: housework, gardening, and assisting at the local garden centre. In her later years May gave much of her time to All Saints Anglican Church in Taradale, taking on the positions of secretary of the Parish fair, head of the Sewing Guild, and Sacristan. She made a cassock for one of the vicars, and did housework and gardening at the Vicarage. May`s last years were spent in the Princess Alexandra Home in Napier. In 2008 she collapsed, and then refused all food, liquid and support. She died eight days later. A memorial service was held in All Saints Church Taradale, after which she was cremated in Hastings. May asked that her ashes be thrown into the sea, and the family chose a small beach north of Adelaide out of the public eye for the event. <br>

Source: Cherry SWAYN