Obituaries

May Wentink Gaynor (Hain), 71

April 2, 1950 - April 10, 2021

May was born on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1950, to James M. and Neeltje W. Hain. She grew up in Berks County, and later moved to New Hampshire, where she graduated from the High Mowing School, in Wilton, NH, in 1968.

May graduated in 1972 from Kutztown State College with a BA degree in Early Education and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S Army Women’s Army Corps (WAC).

Assigned to Fort Bragg, NC, May served as a Personnel/Administrative Staff Officer, an Executive Officer, and later as the commander of the Fort Bragg WAC Company, a unit of some 800 women.

May & Bob were married at the Pope Airforce Base Chapel on August 2, 1975.

Service with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Headquarters at Ft Indiantown Gap came next as she worked as an Equal Opportunity / Race Relations Officer and also worked as a manager of the Mill Bridge Village in Strasburg.

With her husband’s Army service continuing, May lived in Kansas, Germany, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and was later promoted to Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. Her military awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, U.S. Army Reserve Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Pennsylvania General Staff Badge.

Throughout the years, at all the various duty stations, May made it her mission to help the families and the soldiers by volunteering with the Red Cross, Army Community Service, Officer’s Wives Clubs, and with the unit Family Support Groups. These groups were vital to support the troops deploying on Operation Desert Storm in 1990. May was the best and most supportive Army wife ever.

Retirement brought May back to Strasburg, the old house she so loved, and to her family. She became involved in community affairs, particularly in the historic community where she was a long-time member of the Strasburg Heritage Society, helped the Strasburg Architectural Review Board and later, Grave Concern. Her efforts assisted in the update of the borough Historic Ordnance, the update of the Strasburg region Comprehensive Plan, the designation of Route 741 as a state Historic Byway, and the reconstruction of the Edisonville bridge along that byway as a “contact sensitive” design. When she became aware of the extensive damage to a local 18th century cemetery, she took on the role of project manager to rebuild it, place the headstones in their original position, and make replacements for those damaged beyond repair.

She was keenly interested in the environment and water issues, where she assisted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the delineation of wetlands in the borough and in the formal naming of an unidentified stream mentioned on 18th century maps to Kendig Run. May loved to read and knit and was an avid supporter of the Strasburg Heisler Library and formed a textile arts group part of the library activities to encourage local handworkers. Her knitting benefited cancer survivors and the mothers and babies of the local hospitals.

May is survived by her brother, James H.W. Hain of East Falmouth, MA, and her sister, Lysbeth W. Clark of New Providence, PA.

A viewing will take place 2-3 PM Wednesday, April 14, 2021, followed by the funeral at 3 pm, at the Bachman Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 7 S. Decatur St., Strasburg, PA 17579. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville PA, on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 11:30 AM.

Please omit flowers. Donations may be given to The Women in the Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 400, Arlington VA 22203 https://myaccount.womensmemorial.org/donatenow?pid=a1B2E000006inGTUAY or to The Lancaster Conservancy, 117 S. West End Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/donate/

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

April 15, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of May Hain. My heartfelt condolences to her brother James, who I met a few years ago at a HMS alumni reunion, as well as to other members of her family. My mom, Mrs. Karl, sends her sympathies also. 
Her mom was the weaving teacher and my mom the pottery teacher and the HMS campus was our home. I have fond memories of May and I hanging out a lot together, on the merry-go-round, for instance. 
I just read her obituary and appreciate hearing about the rich life she led. 
Sincerely,
Isabel Karl 
 

April 14, 2021

May I’ll miss ya. Thanks for the memories.
Ray Simmons

April 14, 2021

A true friend. May’s thoughtfulness and cheery disposition always helped to better my day. May will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Karen Simmons

April 12, 2021

May was one of the kindest and best people I have ever met.  I loved to hear her voice.  The world is less without her.  
Del Staecker

April 12, 2021

May was a wonderful spirit caring and loving of others! Her contributions to society at large are a grand example of her commitment to the betterment of others. I enjoyed my conversations with May and will miss seeing her around town. So sorry for her family and the community loss. May she rest in peace. 
Tracy Leed

Visitation
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Bachman Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
7 South Decatur Street
Strasburg, PA 17579
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
3:00 PM
Bachman Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
7 South Decatur Street
Strasburg, pa 17579
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info