May Esther "Miss May" Hanson

August 1, 1924 - May 30, 2015

May “Miss May” Hanson, age 90, of West Frankfort, IL, passed away at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2015 in the Westside Rehab and Health Care Center in West Frankfort, IL. She was born on Friday, August 1, 1924 in Great Falls, Montana, the daughter of Gabriel and Adina (Wickberg) Hanson. Miss May grew up and attended school in Great Falls and was a graduate of Great Falls High School, class of 1942. After graduation she worked at several businesses as a bookkeeper. Her most memorable position was the time she spent employed at the Liberty Theater in Great Falls which was very elegant and comparable to the Fox Theater in St. Louis, MO. In 2013 Miss May was thrilled to visit the Fox Theater in St. Louis which brought back many treasured memories. Her next big opportunity resulted in a 50 year career in Las Vegas, NV with several bookkeeping jobs as well as a position at Women’s Hospital as Hospital Administrator. Miss May was raised in The First English Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Montana and was currently attending the Harmony Free Will Baptist Church of West Frankfort, IL. In 2012 Miss May left fabulous Las Vegas for a much simpler life in West Frankfort, IL. There, she made her home with Sue Griffin, her long time friend, Las Vegas pal, and one she considered a sister. In West Frankfort, she was quickly accepted into the community and was loved wherever she went. She was “adopted” into the Sue Griffin family and our “Little Miss May” was loved just like a family member. She is survived by one niece, LeNore Bean and her husband Calvin of Evergreen, CO.; great niece Michelle Bean and her husband Rusty Ross of Durham, NC and three great-great nieces and nephew, Megan, Angela, Rachel, and Gabriel of Durham, NC. Her “adopted” family from West Frankfort included Randy and Jaye Palmer and family, Clay and Michelle Thompson and family and Jim Thompson who was her lunch buddy. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, two brothers and her dear friend, Sue Griffin. A very special “Thank You” to Chris Eli, Diane Norvich and all the wonderful nurses and staff at Westside Care Center. You have loved and cared for our little “Valentine Queen” in a way we would never have dreamed. Words can’t express how much we love you. Arrangements for May “Miss May” Hanson have been entrusted to the Stone Funeral Home, 1201 East Poplar St., West Frankfort, IL. The graveside committal service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2015, in Tower Heights Cemetery of West Frankfort, with Brother Curtis Smith presiding. Those wishing to attend the committal service should gather at the cemetery prior to the service. For more information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-932-2161.