May was born May 3, 1924 in Mount Pleasant, Mich., to William & Sara (Sadie) Bywater, and peacefully passed away with her loving daughter Jackie at her side in Lake Havasu, Ariz. on her 85th birthday.

May was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years Donald Rose.  May served during WWII in the US Navy, married her first husband John Critser and moved to Michigan, where they had four children. In the early 50s they all traveled west to California, they bought a house in the San Franando Valley, and raised their family.

In l983 May and her husband Don Rose, retired and moved to Wofford Heights and then to Lake Isabella. May loved Lake Isabella, made many friends and was very involved in the community.  In her early years she loved walking in the mountains, and team bowling.  She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where she volunteered serving dinners on Friday nights.  She remained an active member of the Kern Valley Hospital Auxiliary from August 1, 1984 and cheerfully donated many hours of her time working at the Thrift Shop.  May was also a member of the Grandmothers Club for many years and served a one year term as president.

For leisure May loved trips to the Casinos and bingo.

After leaving Lake Isabella 2 ½ years ago due to poor health, May lived with her daughter Darlene and husband Larry who lovingly cared for her in their home for 2 years.  In January her loving daughter Jacquelyn and husband Phil took her to their home in Lake Havasu, Az.  The last time May visited Lake Isabella was for the annual Christmas party 2008, where she so enjoyed seeing and talking with her friends.

 May leaves behind her loving family, her daughters Karen Otto (Richard) Venice, Ca., Jacquelyn Flohr (Philip) of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Darlene Preston (Larry) of Simi Valley, Ca. and son James Critser of Eureka, Ca. She was blessed with two grandchildren, Amy Horner and Jason Otto (Laura) and four great-grandchildren, Haley, Austin, and Jenna Horner, and Wendy Otto.  May had 3 brothers who preceded her in death, and leaves a sister Joyce and brother–in–law Arthur Cogswell, of  Lansing, Michigan along with many nieces and nephews.  May’s family will remember her great sense of humor, and love for her family who will deeply miss her.

 Services will be at Sierra Valley Mortuary, 6416 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella, CA on May 16, 1009 at 2:00 pm.