Can’t stop helping

Luis Pena

Giving and caring for others has been a part of Ellyn May’s life for

more than 50 years.

The 78-year-old retired from nursing 14 years ago and has been

volunteering ever since.

A Pennsylvania native, May graduated from St. Peter’s College in

New Jersey and has been an Orange County resident since 1954.

May started out as pediatric care nurse and became an emergency

room nurse. In retirement, she continued to work as a home health

nurse for seniors and has volunteered at the Oasis Senior Center for

the entire 14 years.

She takes the blood pressure of her fellow seniors, and helps out

at the influenza clinic, which is held once a year at Oasis. It is

work she finds gratifying.

“As a senior, it’s a very comforting feeling to be able to help my

peers,” she said.

Her volunteering does not stop at the senior center, however. May

acted as a court-appointed special advocate for a child from the time

he was 10 until he was 14. She befriended him so that he might have

an adult to talk to and feel comfortable with. May also volunteers as

the social chairwoman at the Terraces, where she lives. She plans the

social events such as the potlucks and the annual Christmas party.

May has always kept busy. While she was raising her three

daughters and son, she worked part-time, returning to full-time work

when they were grown.

There is no idle time sitting home watching TV, May said, because

she thoroughly enjoys getting out and donating her time.

May has other interests in her life, such as traveling and

spending time with her grandchildren and attending their sporting

events.

As much as she loves to travel and play with her grandchildren,

May said she would never give up her volunteering at the Oasis Senior

Center.

“I think that we are all blessed to have the Oasis and all of the

activities that are offered here,” May said. “It gives people a

wonderful opportunity to participate. As long as life holds a

promise, I’ll be here.”