Jennie Papa May

Jennie Papa May went home to be with the Lord on April 21st, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Wilmington Delaware on April 30th, 1935, the 7th of Domenica and Pietro Papa’s 12 children.  Jennie was very proud of her Italian heritage and her family store, Papa’s Food Market, in Little Italy.  She graduated from Wilmington High School in 1953 and went on to work for the DuPont Company.  Jennie met the love of her life Charles “Chuck” May at an Armory Dance in Wilmington, and a year later they married at St Anthony’s Catholic Church.  Jennie and Chuck went on to raise 4 children, who gave them 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.  She was an active Church member who spent many hours teaching Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School, holding bible studies in her home, and spreading the Lord’s word through visitation and lay evangelism.  In later years, Jennie and Chuck were active members of Ebenezer United Methodist Church where they enjoyed Christian fellowship and many friends.  A devout Christian, Jennie lived by the verse Matthew 22:37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  

Jennie was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was so very proud of her grandchildren and all their accomplishments.  They were one of her greatest joys.  Jennie and Chuck loved to travel with family and friends.  She cherished vacations together at the Delaware beaches with her sisters and their families and trips abroad with friends.

Jennie was a gracious host who loved a table full of family and friends enjoying her delicious Italian cooking.  It was important to her that everyone who came into her home was well fed and no one left without a prayer and a blessing.  She will be fondly remembered for her many Christmas Eve parties where family and friends gathered for good food, warm drinks, and lots of laughs.  Jennie was a beautiful soul.  She touched so many people with her goodness and grace.  

Jennie is survived by her children, Sharon Blau (husband, Paul), Linda Montini (husband, Jerry), Susan Harris (husband, Rich), and Charles “Chuck” May Jr (wife, Lori); and her grandchildren, Nate Blau, Tessa Montini, Jonathon Montini, Kelsey Harris, Brad Harris (wife, Krista), Logan May, Charlie May, Cameron May; her great granddaughter, Harper May Harris; her sister, Anita Clark; brother, Dominic Papa; sisters-in-law Nancy Papa, Rose Marie Papa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Jennie was predeceased by her loving husband of more than 61 years, Charles “Chuck” May Sr.; her sisters, Mary Papa, Josephine DiStefano, Nellie Papa, Rose Coucolo, Carmelina DaVia; and her brothers, Jimmy, Marco, Peter, and Ralph Papa. 

The family of Jennie May would like to offer special thanks to Claudia Leon Vega for her love and tender care of their mother over the years, the staff of Ivy Gables, and the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice. They also would like to offer heartfelt thanks to all the family members, close friends, church member Calvin Keeler, and all those who visited, supported, and prayed for Jennie for many years.

A funeral service will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, May 3, 2024, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark, DE 19711, where family and friends may visit beginning at 9:30am. Interment will be held in the adjoining cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ebenezer United Methodist Church at the address listed above or to Compassionate Care Hospice, 111 Continental Drive, Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713.

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