Obituary of Eleta May-Buss

Eleta May-Buss of Media PA, formerly residing in Aston, PA, for more than 40 years, walked thru the Gates of Heaven on August 15, 2023.  Eleta was a 9-year resident at Riddle Village in Media.  A home that she loved after she left Aston. 

Eleta’s parents were Daniel and Naomi Adolf.  Eleta was born in Bethune Colorado on May 9, 1928.   When Eleta was a young child the Adolf family moved to the Yakima as a result of the depression and conditions in Colorado.  Eleta graduated from White Swan High School in Wapato WA.  After high school Eleta attended and graduated from Central Washington with a BS degree in Education.  Eleta then went on to teach grades 7-9 Physical Education and social sciences in Redmond, Washington. 

Eleta married Lewis (Lew) May in August of 1953.  Eleta and Lewis had three boys: Randall (Randy), Timothy (Tim) and Roger while living in Kirkland Washington. In 1963, the May family moved to the Philadelphia area, landing in Aston PA. The move was the result of Lew being transferred from Seattle to Philadelphia.  Lew never left Boeing and retired in 1986.  Upon the May family starting anew in Aston, Eleta raised the boys for several years before returning to education as a kindergarten teacher in the Penn-Delco school system.  Eleta taught at Green Ridge, Pennell, and Aston elementary schools.

Lew, passed in 1996 and Eleta later married Jack Buss.  Jack passed in 2013.   Once Jack passed Eleta made a decision to leave her home and Aston and move to Riddle Village.

Eleta was a devote Christian, always involved in the churches she attended to include St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Ridley, St. John’s Lutheran Church and Springfield, PA, and Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in Malvern PA. 

Eleta was also a very caring kindergarten teacher.  She loved teaching the little ones and stayed in touch with many of her students and their parents thru out the years.

As a result of being surrounded by 4 boys (Lew included) and her extended family via Jack, Eleta enjoyed watching the Phillies and Eagles.  Many of the conversations with her sons over the years were centered on Philly sports.

While at Riddle Village, Eleta remained in touch with her friends while making a whole set of new ones!  Eleta was grateful for the friendships, accommodations, activities and “welcomeness” of the Riddle Village “Family”.  Eleta commented how comfortable and glad she left an empty home to move to Riddle Village.  While at Riddle Village, Eleta took advantage of the activities to include Bocce, and Putt-Putt.  Eleta loved to play both and it didn’t matter if she won or not – she was having fun.

Eleta will be remembered by her bright smile, positive attitude, amazing demeanor and her love for her family and friends. 

Deceased Loved Ones: Parents: Danny and Naomi Adolf; Lewis May (first marriage), Jack Buss (second marriage after first husband passed); Brother Delbert, and sisters, Kay and Gerry.

Survivors: Son: Randall May and spouse Cynthia May their children: Erin, Kyle (spouse Kayla), Amy and great grandkids: Jacob, Logan (Erin), Emelia and Richard (Kyle).   Son: Timothy and Kathleen May their children: Jordan and Kevin (spouse Allison).  Son: Roger May. 

 Step son:  Craig Buss and his children: Ben (Jess spouse) their kid Birdie, Colby (Caitlin) their kid Avery;  Katrin and Paul.  Step son: Jeff Buss (Jeanette).  Jeff’s kids: Rebecca, Jennifer (Jen’s three kids are Annabell, Brandon, Jackson)

Service Information: Celebration of Life; Saturday August 19th at 11:00 at Riddle Village Media PA.   Friends and Family are welcome. 

Memorial Donations: Riddle Village Endowment Fund, 1048 West Baltimore Pike Media PA 19063; or Christ Memorial Lutheran Church 89 Line RD. Malvern PA 19355.