At the March 29 General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, the Presiding Office recognized the nominees who were named the 2022 Women of Distinction for each of the 18 legislative districts. Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta nominated May Chasteen for his 13th Legislative District. “May has been a consummate volunteer for most of her life and the first director of volunteers for St. John’s Hospital in Smithtown. She is passionate about her family, friends and community,” said Legislator Trotta.
At 90 years of age, May is still extremely proud of being a first-generation American. She was born and raised in Brooklyn and graduated from Bay Ridge High School. After graduation, she worked for the American Express Company delivering mail and filling inkwells, and eventually became the Executive Secretary to the Corporate Attorney. During the evening, May took classes at Brooklyn College studying law and languages. She soon met her future husband. They moved to Long Island where they raised four children. While the children were growing up, she was involved in the PTA, her church, scouting and taking her daughter for early morning skating lessons. She was a volunteer raising funds for thesoon to be built St. John’s Hospital in Smithtown and upon its completion continued to volunteer at the hospital. May also was a secretary at the law firm of the late John V. N. Klein and his personal secretary when he became Town Supervisor. She later joined the management team at St. John’s Hospital as its Director of Volunteers. A position she was well suited for based on her longtime involvement with the organization and her other community involvement.
As a resident of Fairfield St. James, she continues to give back to her neighbors serving as the vice president of its Civic Association. She is also its past president and secretary.
Legislator Trotta added, “May is dedicated to enhancing the lives of her children, grandchildren and others, and throughout her life has demonstrated a strong work ethic. She is most deserving of this recognition and I have the utmost admiration for her.”
Pictured at the Women of Distinction luncheon are from left: Meg Shutka, Legislator Trotta’s representative on the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission, the 13th Legislative District’s Woman of Distinction, May Chasteen, and Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.
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