May’s life was defined by love, courage, faith, and an unwavering devotion to others. She faced every challenge with strength, faith, and an “others-first” philosophy marked by generosity of spirit and quiet resilience.
May Grecsek passed away peacefully in St. Petersburg, Florida, on February 12, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on May 5, 1971, in Manila, Philippines, May’s early life reflected the spirit of adventure that would follow her throughout her life. She treasured her childhood in the Bahamas, where her father, the late Jorge Ebarle Jr., served as the island doctor. The family later relocated to Orlando, Florida, where May graduated from Bishop Moore High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
A Journey of Innovation & Service
May’s professional journey was marked by innovation, leadership, and vision. After beginning her career in banking, she moved to San Francisco to be with her future husband, Matthew Grecsek. There, she became a founding team member of a pioneering technology company, helping shape its early vision and growth. She later concluded her distinguished career as a marketing executive at Visa Inc., where she held patents in financial services innovation—an achievement that reflected both her intellect and her forward-thinking creativity.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, May’s deepest passion was lifting others. As a dedicated humanitarian, she directed large-scale book donations to provincial schools in the Philippines for many years, providing educational resources to students who otherwise had none and opening doors of opportunity for generations of young minds.
Faith & Family
May was adventurous, brave, and endlessly fun-loving. She was also a woman of deep and abiding faith. A devoted parishioner at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, she served her community as both a Lector and a Eucharistic Minister, sharing her voice and her heart with the congregation she loved.
She was a woman of the world who delighted in travel and in sharing a great meal with friends and family. Yet all of her passions were eclipsed by her devotion to her son, John. He was the light of her life, her greatest joy, and the center of her world.
To those closest to her, she revealed a sharp, playful wit. She loved to gently “poke” the people she cared about, seeing something they were overly sensitive about and teasing them just enough to make them laugh and lighten whatever burden they were carrying.
May is survived by her husband, Matthew Grecsek; her son, John; her mother, Feliza (Fely) Tiongson Ebarle; her sister, Jaye; her brother, John (Shannon); and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her father, Jorge Ebarle Jr.