Marie E. Hejny, 85, of Ennis, Texas, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024.

Marie was born in Bardwell, Texas on September 26, 1938 to Frank J. and Mary (Spaniel) Taraba. She was raised in the farming communities of Telico and Boyce, and she graduated from St. John High School in 1957. On October 9, 1957 she married William F. (Bill) Hejny and they made their home in Ennis.

Marie was a long-time employee of Ennis Business Forms in Ennis, Texas before retiring to spend time with Bill, her family, and her grandchildren.  She was a loving mother and grandmother and cherished hosting her family for Sunday dinner and holidays.  She was a life-long member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, SPJST, and KJZT.  She loved her Church and served for many years in many capacities, and she particularly treasured singing in the Choir.  Marie enjoyed reading, cooking, Czech music, dancing, traveling with friends to Branson, Missouri, and, most of all, traveling with Bill.  Her family was the center of her life, and she raised her three sons to value life and family.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and her memory will be cherished most by her loving family, including her sons Jeff Hejny and wife, Rhonda; Michael Hejny; and Scott Hejny and wife, Julie; her brother-in-law, Don Hejny and wife, Margaret, and their children Barton Hejny and wife Chrissy, and Ana Hejny.  Her loving grandchildren are Lauren Hejny; Thomas Hanson and wife, Heather; Dorian Hejny and soon-to-be fiancé Jose Sosa; Tristan Hejny and fiancé, Ali Quintero; Tanyon Hejny and wife, Georgia; Doremi Hejny; and Madison Hejny.  She also has four precious great-grandchildren, Charlie and Parker Hanson, Olivia Petty, and Vera Marie Hejny.

Marie is preceded in death by her husband of over fifty-eight years, Bill; her brother Frank L. Taraba and wife, Agnes; her sister Agnes Nekuza and husband, Anton; her brother George E. Taraba; and by her daughters-in-law, Kathleen Hejny and Sandra Hejny.

Pallbearers are grandsons Thomas Hanson, Tristan Hejny, and Tanyon Hejny and nephews Gary Taraba, Dennis Nekuza, and Barton Hejny.

Memorials may be made to Layman's Catholic Cemetery Trust or St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church .

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. by family friend Kelly Graham, in the J. E. Keever Chapel - Ennis.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church - Ennis with Father John as Celebrant. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Mausoleum, under the direction of J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.

Submitted by family