May Bloom Rodrigues
April 26, 1938-April 3, 2023
Palo Alto, Ca
May passed peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones, listening to her beloved Irish folk music on April 3, 2023. She is welcomed into heaven by a lively bunch, first husband Eric William “Bill” Bloom, second husband Joseph Rodrigues, sister Christina (Frank) Sheridan and brothers, Jim Ryan, Nicholas Ryan (Gesine) and Mathew Ryan. May was a 60 year resident of Palo Alto.
Born Margaret Mary Ryan on April 26, 1938 to James and Elizabeth Ryan in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, the eldest of seven. She was baptized in May, and called May from that day forward. Always the wild child, it wasn’t a surprise, when she went to the convent to speak with the reverend mother about joining the order and was told she ‘didn’t have the calling.’ May was a caring, compassionate person who enjoyed helping people. At the age of 18, she moved to London to attend nursing school, after fainting in the operating theater, decided that wasn’t her path, either.
In 1959, May and her sister, Chris, were invited by their great aunt to move to Redwood City, California, where May became a bookkeeper and Chris a legal secretary. May and Chris became a part of the thriving Irish community in the bay area, where Chris met her husband Frank, who introduced May to his coworker at Ampex, Bill. May and Bill were quickly smitten with one another and married about 10 weeks later in 1962 and were happily married until Bill’s unexpected death in 1989. May and Bill raised three children, Kellie, Eric, and Brendan Bloom in Palo Alto. May remarried Joseph “Joe” Rodrigues in 1992, they lived and traveled together until his death in 2010.
May worked hard and appreciated all she had, and with Bill (and later, Joe), she enjoyed being with family and opening her home to all, including many who found himself alone in town. She often had over 50 people (many new friends) at events and holidays.
May loved to cook, bake, entertain, sing and dance. Always a gracious hostess, she spread joy and laughter wherever she was. Her love of cooking led her to become a professional cook and caterer. She was a devoted (and fun) mother and grandmother, who loved traveling, cheering on her “Golden Warriors,” and spoiling her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Kellie (Dan), Eric (Jane) and Brendan (Mae), grandchildren Alexander (Alexandra), Kira, Mia and Lincoln, as well as her brother John and sister Elizabeth in Ireland, and many nieces and nephews, and her loyal four legged companion, Troy.
We would like to thank her loving team of caregivers, Lupi BFF, Doreen, Talaheu, and Veile for taking such wonderful care of our mother. May was larger than life, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
