Dorothy Peterson May, of O'Fallon, Illinois, passed away on June 21, 2023 at St. Elizabeth's
Hospital, surrounded by family. She lived a long and full life. Dorothy's passion was her family
and friends. They were priceless to her, and she surrounded them with love, laughter and
loyalty. She maintained these enduring relationships, spanning many decades and hundreds of
miles.
Dorothy was born on December 20, 1923 in Chicago, to Frank & Dorothy (Kapoun) Peterson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Elizabeth Radycki, a niece Janice Sonetz
and her husband Otto David May. She is survived by her daughter Janice (Timothy) Richards
and son David (Heather) May, grandchildren, Scott (Steffy) Richards, Lauren Richards, Leah
(Richard) Twardowski, Taylor (Garrett) Currie, Lily (Riley) Piper and Laurel May, and great
grandson Otto Twardowski.
When she married Otto on June 2, 1962, she became both wife to Otto and mother to Janice.
They added a son, David, to the family in 1963.
Dorothy graduated from Morton East High School in Cicero, Illinois in 1942, and had several
jobs over the years, in sales, clerical and homemaking. She was a lifetime member of the
American Legion Auxiliary, supporter of the Morton Music Department, music camp counselor,
member of the Berwyn Junior Civic League, active in the Elks and various committees in the
Tamoka Heights community in Lake Placid,Florida. She loved show tunes, singing, entertaining,
crocheting, traveling and throwing the best birthday parties ever. After living in Berwyn, Illinois,
Michigan City, Indiana and Lake Placid, Florida, she and Otto moved to O'Fallon in 2018 to be
closer to family.
We would like to express our gratitude for the doctors, nurses and staff at HSHS, St. Elizabeth's
Hospital in O'Fallon, Right at Home In Home Care, and all the staff and residents at Regency
Manor Senior Living, for the care, assistance and companionship provided to Dorothy over the
past several years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 19, 2023, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 105 East "D"
St. in Belleville, Illinois. There will be a visitation from 11:00 - 12:00, with a memorial service to
follow at noon with Pastor Ken Tegtmeier officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made
to Morton High School Music Department or a charity of preference.