Obituary of May Perchanok

May Perchanok (May 16, 1928-June 28, 2024)

May was born in Toronto, to Julius and Sarah Mintz.  Her sister Debby was born two years later. The family moved to Cape Breton when May was four, and then to Halifax where May attended high school and Dalhousie University.  In Halifax, May had the opportunity to learn how to make pottery at a professional ceramics studio.

May met her husband Morris, who was studying medicine, at Dalhousie.  May and Morrie were married in 1949 and soon afterward moved to New York City, where Morris was a resident at Beth Israel.  They enjoyed the cosmopolitan lifestyle and arts that New York afforded. 1954, just before Max was born, May and Morrie moved to Ottawa, Canada.  Mary was also born in Ottawa. Two years later, they moved to Sarnia where Mike and Mathias arrived to complete their family.        

May enjoyed the arts, bridge, camping, and friendships while managing a busy household.  As family responsibilities tapered off, May rekindled her interest in ceramics, setting up a pottery studio in her home. She became an active and award-winning member of the arts community in southwestern Ontario. Morrie adopted her interest in pottery when he retired, and they set up a second studio at Lion’s Head, where they had a cottage and many friends.  May and Morrie are remembered for hosting parties to mark significant events in their lives, bringing together extended family and friends.

May was predeceased by Morris in 2016. She is mourned by her children and their partners Max and Rita (Forman), Mary and Greg (Bailey), Mike and Kathy (Maclachlan), Mathias and Dongping (Fang); sister Debby Mosher; grandchildren Olive and partner Nick, Eva, Faye, Stephen, Eliza, Shoshanna; great-granddaughter Ida; Kathy’s kids David and Ashley; cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family thank the staff of Chartwell Grenadier retirement home, Comforcare Home Care, VHA, and Dr. Rachel Wortzman of Dorothy Ley Hospice, for Mom's care.

Funeral service will be conducted at Or Shalom Synagogue, 534 Huron Street, London, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. 

Interment to follow in Or Shalom Cemetery, London.