MADISON - Mary “May” (Egan) McMillan, age 92, of Madison, Wis., passed away on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. Born Feb. 2, 1930, in Wishaw, Scotland, May was the third of nine children born to Edward and Helena (McCulloch) Egan.

May was united in marriage in 1951 to William “Bill” McMillan at Saint Mungo’s Church in Glasgow. After they wed, Bill, along with several relatives, immigrated to the United States. Soon thereafter, May joined Bill in Wisconsin with their family. Our family’s matriarch was the proud mother to three sons, James (Robin) McMillan, Thomas McMillan and John (Mary) McMillan; and grandmother to Dr. Leia (Ryan) Esser, Jennifer McMillan and Audrey McMillan. May was unapologetically loyal to family, fiercely independent, and resilient. She was devoted to her cat and constant companion, Buster, and grand-dog, Sweetie.

May was intensely proud of her Scottish heritage and instilled that same pride in her family. May had many friends and admirers; when visiting, you were always greeted with tea. Particular about preparation, May taught her granddaughters how to make the perfect cup: black tea (never, ever green). She would spend hours with her family, sharing old pictures and telling stories of Scotland.

May spent the majority of her life on Madison’s east side, proudly living in her home of 55 years until she passed. A beloved neighbor, if you could not find May, guaranteed she was sipping coffee, next door at the kitchen table. May was also loved by many of her sons’ friends who quickly claimed her as their own.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, May is survived by her sisters, Josie Forbes, Nancy Murray and Ann Murray, along with a loving extended family in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Despite distance, May remained deeply connected to her siblings; if her brogue got thicker, you knew she was talking to a sister and reminiscing about Glasgow. May never missed an opportunity to be with family, and though she loved hosting her sisters in Madison, her heart belonged to Glasgow.

May was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Helena; husband, Bill McMillan; and siblings, Edward Egan, Catherine Shaw, Patsy Rotchford, Helena McGee and Robert Egan, all who she deeply loved and dearly missed.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Mary "Mae" McMillan

February 02, 1930 - August 13, 2022

Send Local Flowers & Gifts for Mary

Categories