of Little Rock, AR

June 17, 1971 - August 19, 2023

Ann Marie Strebe May, 52, of Little Rock passed away on August 19, 2023. She was born June 17, 1971 in Waupaca, Wisconsin to James and Margo Dushek Strebe. In 1973, her family moved to Cherokee Village, Arkansas and she graduated from Highland High School in 1989. Following graduation, Ann studied engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Throughout her career, Ann worked in telecom network engineering for Alltel, Verizon Wireless, Allied Telecom and AT&T Wireless. In 2019 she made a career change, followed her passion and opened a small local business to restore vintage and antique furniture, Pieces of Time South. One of her favorite things about her new business was that it gave her the opportunity to work with her father, Jim, a retired carpenter. Ann was currently in the process of launching a new animal rescue in Little Rock with friends who are as committed to rescuing animals as she was.

Ann was a sweet and compassionate soul who never met a stranger. A good friend to all, she had a knack for befriending people when they needed a friend the most. Being Ann's friend meant knowing you were always in a judgement free zone. She loved everyone for who they were and she would never want you to change for her. Ann married her soul mate and best friend, Jeff May, who stood by her side in sickness and in health. Jeff blessed Ann with the role of bonus mom to his beautiful daughter, Sydney, whom she loved dearly. Growing up, she always loved to cook with her mother, Margo and was the self-proclaimed "best cook" of the sisters. Stacey and Kari gladly allowed her to hold this title as long as she did the lion's share of cooking for family gatherings and holiday meals. Auntie Ann, as she was affectionately known by her nieces, was notorious for being the one who would say yes when their parents said no. She loved her nieces like daughters.

Ann was the grateful recipient of a liver transplant and was passionate about organ donation. She had the unique opportunity to experience organ donation first-hand and it became her mission to increase awareness and encourage everyone she knew to sign up to be a donor. Receiving her liver transplant was life changing and she was grateful every day that her donor's family made the decision to donate which provided her with a greatly improved quality of life after the procedure.

Ann was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leona Kutz Dushek, Lillian and Elmer Dushek (Grandpa Duke and Grandma Bunny) and Alma and Robert Strebe (Grammie and Grandpa Strebe). She is survived by her parents, James and Margo Strebe; husband, Jeff and step-daughter, Sydney May and her beloved cat, Sassy; sisters, Stacey Strebe Otwell (Greg) and Kari Strebe Phillips (Paul); nieces, Alex and Caroline Otwell, McKenzie Phillips Marshall (Garrison), Kennedy and Hallie Phillips and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A celebration of Ann's life will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 24th at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to ARORA, 1300 Wilson Rd, Little Rock, AR 72205, St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr, Little Rock, AR 72212 or the animal rescue organization of your choice.

The Livestream is at: https://www.stjameslr.org/

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com