May Belle Reichenbach

May Belle "Mimi" Reichenbach, 95, passed awaypeacefully at her home on the corner of BlankenbakerParkway and Watterson Trail in Middletown on July 24, 2021. She was born on May 17, 1926 to her late parents, Herman Reichenbach and Lena Leuenberger Reichenbach. She was the fourth of six children and was preceded in death by her five siblings, Raymond Reichenbach, Helen Reichenbach Testa, Doris "Gabby" Reichenbach Bell, Ruth "Hoot" Reichenbach Klingenfus, and William “Bill” Reichenbach. She graduated from the University of Kentucky and remained an avid fan of the school's athletic teams, especially basketball, all her life. Following graduation, she taught English at Eastern High School from 1950 - 1980. Both during her career and especially after retirement, May Belle focused on her family, farm animals and her beautiful gardens. She was a devoted daughter and cared for her mother, who lived to be 98. Her unique property became an oasis in the community as fewer and fewer local farms remained. Until the last few years, she could often be seen working in the yard. Former students were frequent visitors to the farm, along with friends, egg customers, home-sick strangers and even parents and grandparents with little ones who just wanted to get a closer look and feed her chickens, geese, or cows.  They may have come as strangers but they quickly became lifelong friends as they were welcomed to her big back porch or to her cozy kitchen for a cup of coffee, brewed by floating the grounds in a pot theold fashioned way. Mimi was a woman full of grace, strength, and dignity.  All who met her experienced her kind and gentle spirit. Although she never married or had children of her own, she was the beloved maternal figure to dozens of nieces and nephews, including great, great-great, and great-great-great ones! She hosted the annual family reunion every summer for over 45 years until last year's pandemic. Generations of family members have spent a peaceful or playful summer night on her home's generous sleeping porch. A true Middletown legend is lost with the passing of this special lady and her old-time neighborhood farm experience. 

The family is especially thankful for the kindness and comfort she received from her devoted care team over the last 20 months. Like many, they too became a part of her family and daily life. The family will receive visitors at the Stoess Funeral Home in Crestwood on Wednesday July 28 from 4 to 8 PM and on July 29 from 11 AM to 1 PM with funeral service immediately following the Thursday visitation. Grave side service follows at the Resthaven Memorial Gardens on 4400 Bardstown Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Future Farmers of America, the University of Kentucky, or a preferred charity that you feel will honor her special legacy.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of May Belle Reichenbach, please visit our floral store.