Mary Jean Layton (nee Groark) passed away April 21^st after a brief illness. Born and raised in St. Louis, she is survived by her children Kim (Jim) Kraft, Maureen (Mark) Lorbert and Mike (Arleen) Layton, her grandchildren Chris (Ginny) Lorbert, Laura (Jim) Mott, Joe (Kelley) Lorbert, Megg Lorbert, Kim Lorbert and Angela Layton and her sisters Kay (Dale) Reller, Pat Coughlin and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Groark. She was preceded in death by her parents Alphonsus Groark and Viola Groark Heinold; husband John, daughter Janet, sons Mark and Matt and brother Tom Groark. She was Aunt Mary to many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and a special cousin to Patty White.

Jean graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis in 1952 and practiced nursing for almost 60 years until retiring for the third time. Her first love was obstetrical nursing. She was instrumental is developing the Risk Management program at St. John’s Mercy Medical (Mercy Hospital St. Louis). Jean also worked as a substitute school nurse in the Rockwood School District. She loved to travel around the world with friends and family and collected pigs.

Jean donated her body to St. Louis University School of Medicine so that others may learn to heal the sick. A memorial mass and celebration of her life will be Friday, May 5^th at 1:00 pm at Holy Infant Catholic Church in Ballwin, MO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (svdpstlouis.org) or a charity of your choice.