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Sharon Louise May

Sharon Louise May

Mar. 16, 1937 - Apr. 28, 2026

Date of Service: May 9, 2026

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Sharon often joked that if she had a nickel for every time she'd started writing her life story she could afford a new outfit. Well, she finally finished that story on April 28, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born March 16, 1937, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, little Sharon arrived collecting last names and family members — a Price by birth, adopted as a Layton, then Larsen, married to a Robinson, and finally a May. The eight siblings she had in her mother’s home expanded greatly when she snuck across town to find her birth father and 10 more siblings. From then on she happily claimed every brother, sister, in-law, foster child, exchange student, and refugee she could find.

As a young nursing student, Sharon fell in love with and married the dashing adventurer, Richard Jay Robinson. They had one girl, Lynne, and two boys, Richard II and Gregory.

Sharon survived more than her share of dramatic chapters: a lightning strike at Darby Girls Camp, a rare cancer that doctors warned she probably would not beat, and the 1964 Alaskan earthquake that took the life of her husband Richard.

Left a young widow with three children, Sharon was introduced to Paul May, a widower with four children of his own, Teresa, Jeff, Patricia, and CJ. Together they raised 13 children, including the six they had together, Grant, Michael, Andrew, Cameron, Kathryn, and Jennifer.

Their home always seemed to have room for one more — Navajo children, exchange students from around the world, a Vietnamese family of six, and countless others needing a place to stay.

A registered nurse for six decades, Sharon’s experiences ranged from a tiny, special needs hospital in Alaska to operating rooms in Utah, home health and geriatric care in Idaho, and finally the care facility she and Paul built. In their retirement, Sharon and Paul developed the May Family Ranch in Clayton, Idaho.

Her life was spent serving and caring for others, at home, at work and at church. She believed firmly in Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness and throughout her life shared the joy of her faith. She saw the best in everyone and loved them, no matter what.

Sharon’s family (13 children, 53 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and dozens of their spouses) absolutely adore her! We are happy for her, but we will miss her terribly.

She left us behind, but had many loved ones there to greet her, including her first-born, Lynne, her husband of six years, Richard, and her husband of six decades, Paul; two grandsons and two great-grandsons.

Knowing her time on earth would soon be over, the only thing she looked forward to more than being with her loved ones was returning to the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she loved and served with all her heart.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Paul Stake Center, located at 424 W. Ellis St., in Paul, with Bishop Chris James officiating. Burial will follow at Paul Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and Saturday, one hour prior to the funeral service at the Church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/iBtMIIadGMc.

Condolences for Sharon Louise May

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Joye Simpson :
I learned so much from Sharon as a new RN doing home health. She had so much common sense and cared for for many patients at May’s Country Living in Acequia. She was a pretty special person. RIP my friend.
From Rachael Spaulding:
Sharon was a sweet lady. I remember the Mays from the Heyburn 2nd Ward. She will be missed.
From ALI AND TOM ROBINSON [SORRY NO REL.]:
met your mom at a CHRISTMAS DINNER AT the church, they were so good, got me started, then i met my wife, 29 tears later your mom and Ali still talked, the other day she told Ali it was time, so Gold Bless you all, we will miss her . love
From Harlo Clark:
I don’t know that I will miss the loud resounding voice calling my name as Sharon entered the store in Oakley, but I will miss the enthusiastic information that she would share every time that she and Paul would come to see me. I know they loved the Clark sausage and I know they felt like family should feel. Sharon was an extraordinary woman, and there was nothing dull in her attitude or her perception in life. Nothing could get her down! What a wonderful legacy she will be leaving.
From Susie Fuentes:
Sharon was the greatest person l ever worked with, a beautiful person inside and out, with a big heart for people. May she RIP, my condolences to her family.
From Danny Ward:
Many fond memories at our Barber Shop events of an Elegant Woman. My family so enjoyed Paul & Sharon’s ranch . My love goes out to Paul & family. Sharon was the center of your world and will be surely missed.
From Jex Heaton:
As a small boy I remember her getting more milk from our barn than anyone else in Alpine and her crazy loud stories she shared with Carolyn. Always nice to us kids and interested in what we were doing. Truly a great lady!
From Will and Lisa Lemell:
Even though we left Idaho several years ago, we always stayed in touch. Sharon was the sweetest, kindest, warmest, and accepting person we have ever known. We will miss you.
From Arthur Colegrove:
I met Sharon through my wife, Cynthia Glines many, many moons ago. Cindy was her daughter Lynn's best friend and it devastated her when Lynn passed away. We actually named our second daughter after Lynn. Cindy passed away about 16 years ago, so Sharon was met by, not only her immediate family, but I'm sure Lynn and Cindy were there together to give her a big hug. Sharon was an amazing lady that I'm proud and humbled to have known. Rest in peace, sweetie!
From Richard Crowley :
We loved our cousin, Sharon Crowley May. We lost a giant of a lady this week. She and Paul made our family reunion at the May Family the best ever. How we loved seeing her at the store and at the temple these many years. We will miss her.
From Rick & Patty Pierson:
Oh Sharon! Heaven surely smiled and opened it's arms wide when you got to those gates! Miss you, love you! Love to your amazing family!
From RaNelle & Ron Knowles:
Dear Sharon always had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in her life! She was truly gifted with a servant’s heart. As one of her old Sweet Adeline buddies, I can just imagine right now she’s already “busting out a huge barbershop chord” with all her wonderful S.A. friends and family on the other side! We will truly miss her joy and happiness here, but I’m sure there are many on the other side that are thrilled she has come to be with them! My deepest condolences to all of your family. I know you will feel deeply the void of her absence. She was so loved and has a wonderful family to carry on her legacy of love.
From Lewis (Lewie) Abrams:
Paul brought Sharon to the gas station I was working at one night in Salt Lake. It was just after they met. I knew immediately she was special, and I knew they would make a great life together.
From Glenn and Susan Hunsaker :
So very sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. She was such a fun lady. We loved her a lot.
From Friend, Margie Taysom Eisenhower:
Sharon was a great friend from Shelley High School -- Graduating Class 1955. She put together the most wonderful "Photo & Biography" booklet of our class -- for the 55th Class Reunion! All the WORK of gathering photos and info from classmates for this publication must have been arduous. I still refer to it often. I always remember Sharon with that bright smile, giving way, and energetic personality! She is truly one of the "Good Ones". Condolences and love to Sharon's family. (Know that she was loved and appreciated!)
From Wendy Machelle Price-Quam:
Sharon, I have so many memories of you, of us. You are the dearest, sweetest lady. I am so saddened to hear of your passing. My thoughts and prayers to your family. Thank you for your friendship.
From Mary Albaugh Jenks:
Sure love this sweet lady. She was amazing.

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