Jane Grote May, a devoted mother, grandmother and auntie who could sing like an angel and curse like a pirate, died Dec. 2, 2024, at her home in Florence. She was 78.
She is survived by her sister Betty Engelman; her sister Margie Jonavic and brother-in-law Ted Jonavic; brother-in-law Ron Mann; daughter Lucy May and son-in-law Christopher Schwarz; daughter Carrie May and son-in-law John Nalbandian; granddaughter Madeline Schwarz and her husband, Jason Hulteen; grandson George Nalbandian; granddaughter Jane Nalbandian; granddaughter Katherine Schwarz; dozens of nieces and nephews, and many great and great great nieces and nephews, each of whom was her favorite.
Born Jane Frances Grote on June 5, 1946, to Anna Marie (Lakey) and Raymond A. Grote, she was the sixth of eight children.
By 12 years old, she was working at her father’s drug store in Covington, where she learned to treat all people with respect.
She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1964 and attended Thomas More College, majoring in philosophy. In college, she met Patrick May, and they married in 1967.
Their daughter, Lucy, was born soon after and daughter, Carrie, arrived 11 months later. Jane explained the timing this way: “That’s what happens when you’re too pretty.”
She was smart enough to be anything and wanted more than anything to be a mother. During her daughters’ early years, she baked scores of cupcakes, quizzed them with piles of flash cards and served as president of the Park Hills Elementary PTA.
When her family’s economic circumstances changed, she landed a job at the Procter & Gamble Co. answering phones to field questions and complaints. She worked her way up to the rank of senior scientist before her early retirement in 2001.
By then, she had lured both her daughters and their families back to Northern Kentucky to play a bigger day-to-day role in their lives. Called “Momo” by her grandchildren, she babysat every chance she could, made up games and stories to entertain them, bought piñatas and painted fingernails to amuse them and ate Play-doh to shock them. On more than one occasion, she offered to break the arms of other children who upset them. She never did, of course, but the grandkids always appreciated the offer.
In her later years, she liked to read, do crossword puzzles and listen to classical music. More than anything, she loved a good party and spending time with family and friends. (She’s pictured making a grand exit from her granddaughter, Madeline’s, wedding reception in 2023.)
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Marie (Lakey) and Raymond A. Grote; her ex-husband, Patrick W. May; and siblings John R. Grote; Raymond H. Grote; Mary Jo Reimer; James P. Grote; and Nancy Mann; and brother-in-law Joseph H. Engelman. If you believe in an after-life, you better believe they’re singing together around a piano.
She asked for her obituary to say in lieu of flowers, please donate to a food bank of your choice because she hated the idea of anyone being hungry, especially children. She didn’t want a funeral. There will be a party in her honor instead from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 18, 2025, at St. Charles Community Center, 416 Community Drive, Covington, Ky. 41011.
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Joyce Engelman says
December 24, 2024 at 1:43 amLucy, Carrie, your mom was the best. She was always so full of fun and I’m sure she is with her siblings and her parents.
Janie, rest in peace
Phyllis Curley says
December 24, 2024 at 6:10 pmI remember her letting me know what it was like to have hip operations. I think it was on Facebook. I asked her how long it took for the pain to go away. She said hold on, let me check. 😊
She asked for her obituary to say in lieu of flowers, please donate to a food bank of your choice because she hated the idea of anyone being hungry, especially children.