In Memory

Lana Ward (May)

LEONARD "LENNY" J. AND LANA D. MAY

Leonard "Lenny" J. and Lana D. May Obituary


From the moment they met, Leonard "Lenny" J. May and Lana D. May were inseparable. As soulmates, there wasn't an interest or passion that they didn't share. It's only fitting that they were together when they passed away.


Lenny, 68, and Lana, 65, of Twinsburg, Ohio, died February 18 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident while vacationing in Bradenton, Florida. Both were life-long educators who impacted countless numbers of students over the past four decades. Married for 25 years, they were loving parents of their four children: Scott, wife Lindsay; Jennifer, husband Mark; Patrick, significant other Elaine; and Christopher; and grandparents to seven grandchildren: Kate, Cassie, Abby, Jake, Sam, Alexandra and Isabelle. Together, they enjoyed vacationing in Hilton Head, S.C., grabbing a cocktail at the Burntwood Tavern or Eagle's Club in Chagrin Falls and participating in their neighborhood association. They frequently attended Cleveland Indians games, where Lenny enjoyed the baseball and Lana enjoyed the hot dogs and occasional Cleveland sunshine. They often took long walks together and shared the guilty pleasure of eating chocolate at all hours of the day. Each loved golfing and talking to others about their kids. They loved dancing together. 


Born September 28, 1947, in Canton, Ohio, Lenny was proud to have been an English teacher, coach and athletic director at Chagrin Falls High School. He served in many capacities for the high school, including English Department Chairperson, the leader of the school newspaper Tiger Times, school librarian, head baseball coach, assistant football coach, and most recently the Director of Community Relations. In 1987, Lenny, a graduate of Canton Lehman High School and Ohio University where he was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, was recognized as the Chagrin Falls Teacher of the Year, an honor he cherished due to his constant focus on academics ahead of athletics. He was recently honored as the Canton Lehman Alumni of the Year.


In addition to their children they are survived by Lenny's family including his Sister Catherine Sahadi (Spouse, Ronald [Deceased]), nieces Mary Margaret (Sahadi) Barnes (Spouse, Ben) and Michele A. Sahadi, nephews Michael J. Sahadi (Spouse, Lee) and Ronald M. Sahadi; Brother Dominic J. May (Spouse, Bonnie), nieces Julie Ann Eastman (Spouse, Ross) and Toni K. McGrath (Spouse, Michael), nephews Thomas J. May (Spouse, Laura) and Jeffrey J. May Brother Anthony J. May (Spouse, Betsy), nieces Amy May Lowery (Spouse, Julie) and Cybel Treeson (Spouse, Manny), nephew Chrispin J. May (Spouse, Susan) Sister Barbara A. Schloneger (Spouse, Wes), nieces Melissa Bowman (Spouse, Lee) and Andrea Gooden (Spouse, David)
Born April 23, 1950, in Cincinnati, Lana loved serving as an elementary teacher in Mentor Public Schools for 30 years. A graduate of North High School and Kent State University, Lana taught at Reynolds, Sterling Morton and Hopkins Elementary schools. Nothing made her more proud than to see the students she taught at a young age mature and grow into successful, thoughtful and caring adults. She also treasured time with her friends and family, especially the time spent with her mother Jo Beth and her siblings, as well as or her former colleagues from Mentor during their regularly occurring game days. 


Survivors also include Lana's family, Sister Linda Gerstenberger (Spouse, Michael), niece Kimberly Condon (Spouse, Mark), nephew Craig Schlatterbeck (Spouse, Dana), Sister Pamela Bancsi (Spouse, Joseph), niece Kimberly Lumpkin (Spouse, Nick), nephew Chris Bancsi, Brother Thomas Ward (Spouse, Carol), nephews Trevor Ward and Connor Ward


They are preceded in death by Lenny's parents Joseph and Margaret May and Lana's father Lee Ward and mother Jo Beth Ward and their granddaughter Grace Ann.


A Celebration of Lenny and Lana's life will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor 44060
A Memorial Service will be held 1pm Saturday at Chagrin Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 400 E. Washington St, Chagrin Falls, 44022 where a reception will follow in the gymnasium till 5pm.Parking will be available on the main campus and any overflow traffic will be directed to St Joan of Arc or the Cleveland Clinic Medical Bldg on E. Washington St. Overflow seating and simulcast recording will be available.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Lenny and Lana May Memorial Fund, c/o the Chagrin Falls Alumni Association, 400 East Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022, or http://chagrinalumni.org/donations.