Mary Kathleen “Kathy” May

Mary Kathleen May, known lovingly to many as Kathy, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025, at the age of 76. She was born and raised in Washington, D.C., where she graduated from La Reine High School in 1967. After leaving the D.C. area, Kathy eventually made her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she spent the majority of her life building a legacy of grace, creativity, and love through her family and her lifelong devotion to dance.

Kathy's passion for dance began early and carried her through every chapter of her life. She performed with the Washington Ballet in Washington, D.C., and later with the Jacksonville Ballet in Florida, taking part in numerous productions that showcased her elegance and dedication to her art. Yet her greatest fulfillment came not on stage, but in the classroom as the founder and beloved instructor of the Mary May School of Ballet in Knightdale. Through decades of teaching, Kathy touched the lives of hundreds of students, nurturing not only their technique but their confidence, poise, and self-expression.

Her love of movement and meaning also found a home in faith. She initiated and taught a Liturgical Dance class at Cathedral School in Raleigh, merging the beauty of dance with the spirit of worship, a reflection of her belief that art could be both graceful and deeply spiritual.

Kathy also had a gift for creating magic in everyday life. She especially loved the holidays and always went above and beyond to make them feel special for everyone around her, filling her home with warmth, laughter, and traditions that brought joy to her family year after year and that are still continued today.

Above all, Kathy was devoted to her family, who were the center of her heart and the joy of her days. She is survived by her children:
• Jack May Shannon (Jennifer) of Raleigh, NC
• Casey James May (Laura) of Asheville, NC
• April May Taylor (Jason) of Clayton, NC
• Matthew Leon May (Haley) of Marysville, OH

She is also survived by her brothers, Timothy O'Neil and Jeffrey O'Neil, as well as her nine cherished grandchildren. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Patrick O'Neil Jr. and Hilda Francis O'Neil, and her brother Eugene Patrick O'Neil III.

Kathy's life was guided by grace, gratitude, and the gentle wisdom of her favorite blessing, which captures her spirit perfectly:

"May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

A memorial service celebrating Kathy's life will be held in early summer in Washington, D.C., where she will be laid to rest alongside her parents. Further details will be shared with family and friends at a later time.