Mary Veronica "Wanny" Hayden of Louisville, KY died surrounded by family at her home at almost 96 years old on Thursday, January 11, 2024.  She was a faithful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, godmother, aunt, and friend.  Born during the Great Depression and Prohibition, Mary was a bootlegger at 5 years old, caregiver at ten, and could discuss what it felt like to hear the news of the Pearl Harbor Attack… and running to meet Billy in Loretto when he got off the train from Germany.

Mary was a 1946 graduate of Bethlehem Academy in St. John, KY.  Somehow, Mary found time to work outside of the home.  She worked as a secretary, a telephone operator, and a seasonal tax preparer for H & R Block.  Her favorite, and longest, job was as a salesclerk at Fern Creek Hardware for over 20 years.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 63 years, William "Billy" Hayden.   Even with the support of her children, her last 13 years were lonely ones.  She dearly loved Billy and talked about him every day.  They built an amazing life together.  Their legacy includes seven children, twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.  From a farming family in Marion County to a blue-collar family in Louisville, Mary and Billy worked hard TOGETHER.  Their idea of relaxation was gardening, canning, freezing vegetables and curing hams.  They traveled all 50 of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Ireland.  Their dearest friends of over 50 years were the "Filthy Five" that they met as members of the Beulah Twirlers Square Dancing Club.

Mary was a devoted life long Catholic.  She was a member of the St Francis (St. Francis, KY), Holy Family, St Bernard, and St Gabriel parishes in Louisville.  She was a member of Altar Sodality, the Bereavement Committee, a Girl Scout Leader and a reliable volunteer and donor her entire life.  She dearly loved Mass and, if she couldn't in person, would participate by Mass of The Air.  Mary prayed daily, loved the Rosary, and could be counted on to offer a Novena for anyone in need.  Even with financial limitations, Mary & Billy educated all seven children in the Archdiocese of Louisville Parochial School System.

Family was the number one priority in Mary's life.  She learned to cook at a young age; a skill and passion she passed down to her children.  As a girl, Mary was a fixture helping in the homes of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  "Aunt Wanny" and Billy dearly loved their nieces and nephews.  She was "Mom" to her kids and "Mammaw/Meemaw Bill" to her grandchildren.  Never wasting the flap of an envelope, Mary would leave lists of chores for her kids.  This provided them with not only a sense of frugality but a strong work ethic, the ability to survive independently and pride in a job well-done.  Although never overly affectionate, those that knew her understood her fierce passion, deference and protectiveness for her children and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph "Bud" & Corine Ryan; her husband; her daughter, Carolyn Edland; and grandson, David Brodfehrer.

She is survived by her sister, Anna Margaret Dragoon and brother, John Ryan (Cameron); children, Monica Boggs, Daniel Hayden (Jane), Ann Hayden, Frieda Denton, Kay Yotter, William "Bill" Hayden II (Dedra) and son-in-law, Larry Edland. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Tony Brodfehrer, Anna Maria Goss (Aaron), Amy Goss (Eric), Greg Brodfehrer (Maria), Stephanie Harrod, James Giacalone (Stephanie), Jonathan Giacalone (Jenny), Mandi Brodfehrer, Kasey Thomas (Jarred), Abbie Hayden and William "Trey" Hayden III.

Her funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Thursday, January 18 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 5505 Bardstown Road with burial in Highland Memory Gardens in Mt. Washington. Visitation is 1-8 p.m. Wednesday at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Cooper Trail Senior Living in Bardstown and Nelson County Hospice.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Mass of the Air or the Nelson County Hospice.