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Stephanie May, August 20, 1970-September 1, 2014

Cedar Mill lost a familiar face on Labor Day. Stephanie May, age 44, often seen roaming the streets from The Second Edition to the Dollar Tree, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly due to the effects of Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy. She would motor top speed on her trusty mobility scooter, facing straight forward, orange flag flying, not particularly careful of watching side traffic in crosswalks.

She and her four-years-younger sister are often confused because Wendy rides a scooter, too, but Stephanie was “not the one who works at McDonald’s,” a point that an inquisitor would soon learn. Stephanie never met a clerk who wasn’t a future friend because she wouldn’t let the conversation continue until the person knew she would soon be taking a cruise, often pulling her photo album out of her basket. She had just attained the long-held goal of Elite status on Princess Cruises; the black card was finally hers!

A 1988 Sunset High grad, she lived a life belied by what a bystander might think if they defined Steph by her scooter. Immediately after graduation, she joined the Navy, attending boot camp but not finishing, because unbeknownst to her at that time her muscles were already compromised by Myotonic Dystrophy, the most common adult form of the 40 different muscular dystrophies.

She subsequently worked several seasons at Jackson Lake Lodge (Grand Teton National Park), Mount Rainier Lodge, Palm Springs’ Smoke Tree Ranch, Sun Valley, Government Camp, and a summer in Germany as a nanny. When it was time to grow up, she became a CNA and worked at both Regency Park and Canfield Place, but when walking became too difficult, she finished her working career at OHSU, where she was a much-loved member of the kitchen team, treating janitors with the same respect as doctors.

Though visibly handicapped, Stephanie never let Myotonic Dystrophy stop her vigorous pursuit of a joyful life. Complaining wasn’t something she did; only occasionally would she make a wistful comment such as “Gee, when I used to be able to ride a bike…” Her life was full of friends, future friends, Blazers and her beloved Seahawks.

Even though Myotonic Dystrophy respiratory failure won in the end, Stephanie lived her life with joy and wonder; if she was “in,” it was 150%! She knew her time would be shortened, but for her, each day was a day to look forward to the next cruise.

A private celebration of life will be held on November 8 with Seahawks and Blazer apparel encouraged. Memorial donations in Stephanie’s name to fight Myotonic Dystrophy gratefully accepted at Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation website: myotonic.org.

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