May H. Barton of Syracuse, a noted leader of musical organizations and performer in theatrical productions, died April 10, her 99th birthday. Mrs. Barton was past president of the Syracuse Liederkranz Chorus and served for 18 years as chairman of the Bundes Music Committee of the New York State Sangerbund the first woman ever to hold that post. Mrs. Barton, who studied Musical Fine Arts at Wagner College, also served as assistant director of the Berwald Concert Singers of Syracuse, as choir director for the Zion Lutheran Church in New Hartford and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Utica and as volunteer choir director and soloist at the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center for 35 years. She was a member of the Utica Mannerchor, soloist at 16 for Waterbury Presbyterian Church in Oriskany and performed in New York City under the leadership of Nicholas Gualillo, operatic composer and director. Active in the theatre, Mrs. Barton performed in productions of the New Hartford Players, The Theatre Workshop of Utica and the Hamilton College Charlatans. She appeared in such productions as The Mousetrap, Born Yesterday, You Can't Take It With You, Showboat, Separate Tables and The Man Who Came To Dinner. Mrs. Barton, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Hale Sr., both well-known in Utica area music, attended the Utica School of Commerce. She retired from New York Property Underwriting Association as office manager, having previously been public relations director of Unity Mutual Life Insurance. After retirement, she worked part time at Upstate Medical Center. She served for several years as secretary-treasurer of the Protector of Cats and Kittens Society. She played Bridge with a group at the Corinthian Club for many years. Mrs. Barton was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church and choir. She is survived by a son, Paul Barton, and daughter-in-law, Karen Barton of Baldwinsville and daughter-in-law, Mary Barton of Syracuse; a brother, Harry J. Hale and sister-in-law, Betty Hale of New York Mills; grandchildren, Rennay Barton, Glen Barton and Jennifer Harris; great-grandchildren, nieces and a nephew. She is also survived by special friends Sally Frenza, Viera Bernstein and Doris Spring. She was predeceased by a son, J. Wayne Barton and grandchildren, Cheryl and Gregory Barton; a sister, Ruth Bullard and brother, Thomas Hale Jr. Services will be held Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 873 Dewitt Street, Syracuse. Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home, 3111 James St. Burial will be at Glenside Cemetery, New York Mills. Contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, 2nd floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 or St. Stephen Lutheran Church.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard on April 12, 2012