Barbara Sue May

Barbara Sue May

January 4, 1940 – September 29, 2025

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Barbara Sue May, who left us peacefully on September 29, 2025, in Port Jefferson, NY with both daughters at her side. Barbara was 85 years old. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Barbara was the daughter of John and Ann May and youngest of three children. She grew up and graduated high school in Brooklyn, where on the last day of high school she met and began dating the man she would later marry and start a family with.

Barbara's professional journey began on Wall Street, where her talents as an executive assistant were relied upon at a young age, as she always portrayed maturity, grace, and dignity well beyond her years. Additionally, her mastery of the English language, dictation, and professional editing were some of her professional assets that eventually brought her to the attention of the company’s top executives.

Barbara’s true passion, however, was always her family. In 1960, at 20 years old, Barbara married Richard Russo and two years later gave birth to the first of their three children. By 1969 the couple left Brooklyn for suburban life on Long Island where they became small business owners. Barbara took a particular interest in the education of her children, as well as assisting her husband with the activities of the business. Always looking for new opportunities, in 1978 the couple moved their three children across the country and began life in Southern California, where they lived for the next nine years before returning to New York.

In 1996, Barbara married Edward Schmidt of Hauppauge where she lived for the next six years. Throughout her life, no matter where it brought her, the one constant was Barbara’s love for life, devotion to her family and friends, and belief in the inherent goodness in mankind. She loved to laugh and always greeted everyone with a warm and welcoming smile. Barbara loved happy, energetic, and upbeat music and always loved to dance. Though dancing always brought her joy, she also found great peace and serenity in the beauty and vastness of the ocean. Barbara always looked forward to spending long summer days on the beaches of either the beautiful Long Island Shores or the California Coast.

Barbara will be remembered for her infectious laugh, warm smile, and extraordinary love of life. Her loyalty and devotion to her children and family left a legacy of “family first” as well as the importance of loyalty, morality, grace, and dignity. Barbara led by example and was deeply loved and admired by so many whose lives that she had a notable effect on.

Barbara is survived by her brother John May (Margaret), beloved daughters Kathleen Ann Smith (Glenn) and Gena Ann Palmer (Christopher), and beloved son Richard Keith Russo (Jamie). She cherished and adored her six loving grandchildren, Amanda Chaye VonKaenel (Ethan), Kathleen Ann Kruse (William), Gillian Renee Russo, Cole Stephen Palmer, Reid Edward Palmer, and Elizabeth Grace Russo, and her first great-grandson, William David “Liam” Kruse Jr.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents Ann and John May, her sister Marjorie Pintus (Andrew),and first husband Richard Salvatore Russo.

Visitation services will be held at:

Moloney's Funeral Home, 840 Wheeler Rd (Rte. 111) Hauppauge Friday, October 3, 2025 2pm – 4pm and 7pm – 9pm

A Funeral Mass will be held at:

St. James RC Church, 429 Rte 25A, Setauket, Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00 am

Burial to follow at St Charles Cemetery