Carol Hejny, a beautiful lady inside and out, was called home on October 19, 2024 after a short illness.

Carol was born in Ennis Texas on February 6, 1934. She spent most of her school years in Dallas where she lived. She worked at Kress's in Downtown Dallas and was a runway model at A Harris Department Store. She spent many hours at and around Fair Park in Dallas, which she called her Old Stomping Grounds.

Later her family moved back to Ennis where she attended St. John Catholic School and graduated in 1951. She attended nine different schools during her 12 years, as her father moved to wherever he found the best job to provide for his family. It was at this time, she met her future husband, George Hejny, in Ennis. She said the first thing that attracted her to George was the fact that he was so very handsome. They married July 12, 1952 at St. John Catholic Church. Soon, they moved to Washington DC when George was sent by the military to study at Georgetown University. Upon returning, they made their home in Ennis. Carol had exceptional secretarial skills and went to work at Southern Trust and Mortgage in Dallas . Their first daughter, Tanya, was born on October 10, 1958 living only eight days. They then completed their family with four more daughters.

Her first calling in life was being a wonderful mother and Mimi to her four daughters, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Carol doted on her family. She was always proud to have her girls dressed in the dresses she made, and sometimes all looked alike. She was a very good seamstress. She was also very proud of the fact that she and George were able to provide a college education to all four of their daughters.


Carol found her second calling in life when she was accepted in the nursing program at Navarro Junior College at the age of 40 years old. She worked as an RN at hospitals in Corsicana, Ennis, and Terrell. She also worked at several, if not all, Ennis nursing homes and completed her 40 year career as a private sitter. She truly enjoyed caring for her patients, residents, and seniors.

Among the things that people remember about her was her exceptional nursing skills and knowledge, her vivacious personality, her caring heart, her positive attitude, her orange lipstick, and the loving and personal care she provided to so many. She cared for them as if they were her own.

Carol spent her last seven years as a resident at Brookdale Assisted Living in Ennis. Anyone that knew her knew she loved the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and of course the Ennis Lions. She loved playing Bingo at Brookdale and had an agreement with God she would say a Rosary if she won Bingo. After having to pray several Rosaries a day, she told God it was okay if she didn't win anymore. But her all-time favorite pastime was playing 42 dominoes, which she was extremely good at. No one ever minded being her partner.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband George Hejny; parents Papa John and Mother Carrie Holy Jaresh; a daughter Tanya Marie; two sisters Pauline Zalkovsky and Geraldine "GeJo" Holubar. She is survived by one sister Lorraine Jaresh Beere; daughters Terina Gillespie and Troy; Alison Hejny and Pete Toal;  Delia Hejny Chudej; and Jeanee Hejny Archer and Joe.

She also leaves behind the joys of her life, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Clay Gillespie and Lauren Little Gillespie; Cooper Gillespie and Samantha Douglas Gillespie; Cadie Gillespie and Ike Walker;  Haley Chudej Walker and Ryan Walker; Travis Chudej and Morgan Castelberry Chudej; Ryan Sebik; Bo Clayton Gillespie and Lucy Carrell Gillespie.

The family extends a huge thanks to Carol's Brookdale family/staff for being so loving and caring over the past seven years; Bristol Hospice; all the people who visited over the past few weeks; and especially Kiki and Stella for being there for Carol and her daughters.

Pallbearers are Clay Gillespie, Cooper Gillespie, Travis Chudej, Ryan Sebik, Ike Walker, and Randy White.

Visitation and Rosary will be held Monday October 28, 2024, 6-8pm, with Rosary starting at 7pm. in the J. E. Keever Mortuary Chapel in Ennis. Funeral will be held Tuesday October 29, 2024, 10am in the Keever Chapel, interment to follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Ennis, under the direction of J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.

Submitted by family