Mary Etta Layden (nee Grandys) of Sealy, Texas, (formally of Bonne Terre, Mo.) passed away on Dec. 4, 2020. She was born in Crown Point, Ind., to Francis and Mary Grandys on Nov. 5, 1937. She was wed to Joseph W. Layden on Feb. 8, 1958.

Mary Etta Layden retired as a mental health worker with BJC Behavioral Health in Missouri and continued to dedicate her life to serving others in her church and community. She was an active member in the Catholic Daughters of Americas and at one point served as president for one year in the Bluebonnet Deanery. She mentored children to stay in school with Raising Academic Performance. Mary Etta enjoyed sewing and crocheting and shared her crafts with her family and the Cancer Angels to benefit the American Cancer Society. Most of all, Mary Etta loved to spend time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Layden is survived by her brother Thomas (Angie) Grandys of Crown Point, Ind., two sisters, Frances (James, deceased) Hill of Crown Point, Ind., and Veronica Grandys of New Jersey. She is also survived by her children Michael Layden of Huntsville, Ala., Mark (Stephanie) Layden of Evanston, Ill., Larry (Jayne) Layden, of Clayton, Mo., Monica (Michael) Gross of Sealy, Texas, and special friend Catherine (Bruce) Hoagland of Birmingham, Ala., and 11 grandchildren.

All live physical/virtual services will be held Dec. 19, 2020, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 Fourth St, Sealy. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., rosary recital at 9:30 a.m., and memorial service at 10 a.m. Please join us on Facebook by going to www.facebook. com/Immaculate ConceptionSealy to view the live-streaming of the Memorial Mass on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. CST. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Joseph Layden, in Bonne Terre, Mo., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to an organization whose function is to raise people up as their mother did.