Sharon Louise May

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.