Marjorie L. Lay

Marjorie L. Lay (78 yrs) departed on March 15th, 2011. She was born November 12th, 1932 in Eastland County, Texas to Samuel H C Lay and Mary Jane Wilson Lay. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Charlotte Dendy. Marjorie is survived by her sister Jimmye Lay Perigo of Lancaster, TX; Nieces Cindy Davis of Oak Leaf, TX and Pat Perigo of Phoenix, AZ; Nephew Kirby Dendy and wife Donna of China Spring, TX; Great Nephew Adam Davis and wife Clydia, daughter Eelaina and sons Markkus and Justin of Fredericksburg, TX; Great Niece Andrea Dendy De Le Cruz and husband Simon of Aledo, TX; and Great Nephew Samuel Travis Dendy and wife Amy and son Kayden of Granbury, TX. Dr. Ruth Jackson, Orthopedic Surgeon, was the inspiration for Marj’s devotion for medicine. Dr. Jackson operated on Marj (age 14) at Baylor Hospital Dallas performing an innovative surgery that allowed Marj the ability to walk for 60 additional years. Marj graduated from Dublin High School in 1950. She told everyone that her best teacher was her mom Mary Jane Lay. Miss Johnnie Mae Bickers was her 1st grade teacher. She loved her and school so much that when the year ended Marj begged her not to take a break that she wanted to keep learning. Miss Johnnie Mae explained that after the break she would have a new teacher that would take her even further than she could. That teacher was Miss Ruby Wyatt and she and Marj became bosom buddies after a school yard incident. During recess Jimmye Dean had lifted Marj up on to a spinning swing and left her there when the bell rang to return to class. Miss Wyatt sent a student to find Marj and they reported back to Miss Wyatt that she would have to come get her. Miss Wyatt assessed the situation asking how she got up there and realizing that she couldn’t get down by herself rectified the situation, flipped the back of her skirt on the way back to class and a forever friendship was born. Marj graduated from Tarleton University and Baylor Med Tech School. She worked for Hill Blood Bank on weekends and UT M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute Houston (1958) in the research Lab on mice. She furthered her education at The University of Texas while working at Breckenridge Hospital. Marj then moved to Salt Lake City to further her career at Wintrobe Hematology Lab. She researched the effects of atomic bomb fallout tests on young children and the elderly under Dr. Maxwell Wintrobe. She made her way back to Texas to work for Dallas Parkland Cytology where she became a registered Cytologist (recognition of cancer cells). Finally she joined Saint Paul Hospital as the Supervisor of Hematology from where she eventually retired 32 years later. Marj had a great love and respect for the Sisters of Saint Paul Hospital, all the staff and physicians that she had the privilege to work with. The family wants to especially thank Kaleena Jacobs and Marco Pataray for their kindness, excellent care, and the dignity that they showed Marj and her family. We would also like to thank Dr. Hugh McClung, Dr. Kenneth Walgren, Dr. Edwin Jenevein, and Dr. Payseur who not only cared for her over the years but were considered part of her extended family. Thomas Selman, we will never be able to express our gratitude for your encouragement, kindness, and loving care. Please leave us your Marj stories in the guestbook. In memory of Marj, if you care to give she supported Texas Scottish Rite Hospital 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219. (214) 559-5000 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Email: donors@stjude.org; 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. (800) 822-6344.

Marjorie L. Lay

November 12, 1932 - March 15, 2011