Jeanette May

My career path chosen was one of a Registered Nurse and over my work career I worked in a Catholic hospital in Schenectady. I taught nursing at a Technical Center then moved to the State Education Department. I supervised health career programs at Tech Centers. I then returned to bedside care in a nursing home as a retirement project to be ready to care for my parents.

I was born into an Irish Catholic family, the oldest of seven. This meant that I was my mother’s lieutenant and supported her with assisting with childcare. I developed a fondness for babies and toddlers.

When my mother was in her 80s, she asked me to consider the volunteer work that she did and take something on as my own. Because of that love for children that she instilled in me, I told her I would connect with the Christ Child Society.

Most recently, I have trained to be a foster mom. After a grueling year of full-time with teenagers, I moved to respite care providing short-term relief for primary caregivers. The needs are great and there is never enough support for these children.

It seems so I have been a leader for my Chapter since I became a member of Christ Child Society of Albany. I’ve been the President periodically from the beginning. I have chaired Fundraisers, our Comfort Bag program to support area shelters, adopting families for the holidays , and I have written grants.

I am most proud of the development of our Literacy program, initiating a partnership with a local scouting program and extending Christ Child’s services to all 14 counties in our Diocese.