Obituaries

Obituary MARY JANTSON LAYSHOCK: June 7, 1935 – October 1, 2026

Hers was a life of dedication and community, purpose and spirituality. Mary was a kind, generous lady, committed to serving her community as a health care provider, as a faithful Christian and devoted and generous mother and grandmother.

Mary was born at St. Joseph Hospital on June 7, 1935 in Warren, Ohio to Anna Mary Spisak and Alexander Jantson, immigrants from Hungary. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1953, she attended St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in Youngstown, OH. Upon graduating in 1956, her first job as a Registered Nurse in the Operating Nurse was at St. Joseph Hospital.

On October 13, 1962 she married Edward Andrew Layshock at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Warren. The couple had their first-born child Mark Edward Layshock in Williamsburg, AZ. After living in Sedona for several years, the family moved to Texas, welcoming their daughter Genevieve (Jenny). Mary worked as a nurse at Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi and Herman Hospital in Houston. After her beloved husband Edward died, she worked full-time at Brazosport Memorial Hospital in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Mary was an active lady, who enjoyed sewing, gardening, attending her children’s choir and band concerts, chaperoning band events, being a Den mother in Cub Scouts, singing in the church choir, being on the Parish Council, Altar Guild, Lector, Eucharistic Minister and was a Religious Education teacher at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in West Columbia, TX.

Retiring after 50 years and many accolades as an OR and Endoscopy nurse, Mary continued to volunteer as a Pink Lady, in Recovery at Brazosport Hospital. Mary contributed over 2,000 hours of volunteer service. She had many friends at the hospital, her church and in her neighborhood.

After moving to Dripping Springs to be near her daughter Jenny, son-in-law Raymond and her precious grandchildren, Mary (Mimi) continued to give back to her new community by volunteering weekly at the Community Library, helping on the Prayer Blanket Ministry, serving as Eucharistic Minister, participating in the Welcome Committee and Bible Study at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.

She also enjoyed her Senior Community exercise classes, birthday and holiday socials and going with friends to lunch at the Hill Country Senior Center. Most of all, she loved to attend her grandchildren’s school events, especially Friday night football games, Tiger Band competitions, band concerts, school presentations and award ceremonies, track meets, and graduations. Mary lived and breathed for her grandkids.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Edward, her sister Adalene Jantson Harrington and brother-in-law Joseph Harrington, Warren, OH, brothers John Jantson, Lake George, NY and James Jantson, Warren, OH, her sister Katherine Jantson Fenstermaker, Burghill, OH, brothers-in-laws John Layshock and Jerry Layshock, both of CA, Larry Layshock, PA, Raymond Layshock, IN, MaryAnn Pollander, OH, and former Daughter-In-Law Sherri David Layshock.

Mary is survived by son Mark Layshock, daughter Jenny Lee, grandchildren Christopher, Madeline, and James, son-in-law Raymond Lee, sister Helen Fenstermarker, brother-in-laws Jimmy Layshock, Don Fenstermaker, Ray Fenstermaker, sister-in laws Janet Layshock, Lola Jantson and Myrna Jantson, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Mary’s lifelong commitment to nursing, science, health care and helping others, lead her to the decision to donate her remains to the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University. She rejoiced in the fact that the forensic anthropology faculty, researchers, law enforcement and the medicolegal community would be beneficiaries.

A private family service will be held at the historic Lamar Cemetery in Rockport, Texas.