Mary Ellen Gaffney Henslee

Mary Ellen Gaffney Henslee Mary Ellen Gaffney Henslee found God's peace and rest on June 10, 2012, in Austin, Texas surrounded by family and caregivers. Mary was born September 3, 1926, in Gaffney, South Carolina, to Mattie Cecil Hubert, a descendant of the founders of Featherston, OK, and to Patrick O'Riley Gaffney, a descendant of the founders of Gaffney. She grew up in Electra, Texas, and by advancing two grades she graduated high school early. Mary worked for the Navy in Washington D.C. as a civilian during WWII. She then volunteered for military service in the Cadet Nurse Corp, receiving her training and registered nurse degree at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Ft. Worth. She began nursing at a VA facility in McKinney. In her 28-year nursing career she worked as a hospital nurse in surgery, pediatrics, OB and ER and taught nursing. In 1951, Mary wed William (Bill) Alexander Henslee. After nearly 40 years of a happy marriage, William passed away in 1991. Mary is survived by their four children, all of Austin: Josh Henslee; Margaret Henslee Moody and Margaret's daughters, Mary Terrell and Molly Alexander; Patricia Henslee Winnop and husband, Dennis; Molly Henslee Hatchell and husband, Mike. She is also survived by her stepson William Anthony Henslee, and his children, Jason Henslee and Sherrill Henslee Perez, and by her sister-in-law, Carmela Gaffney, and her sons Michael O. Gaffney, Jr., and Jiggs Robert Gaffney of Tyler, Texas. Mary was preceded in death by her brothers, Michael O'Riley Gaffney, Cecil Hubert Graham (Jiggs) Gaffney, and sister, Patricia Hubert Gaffney, and nephew, Patrick Carl Gaffney. Mary was proud to be a nurse but loved, above all else, being a mother and raising children. She was an avid reader who also enjoyed dancing, cooking, bridge, skating, swimming and tennis. Mary will be remembered for her beauty, dynamic personality, intelligence, and her love of family. Her family wishes to express their deepest gratitude and thanks to Dr. David Pohl and his staff, and to Ella Baylor, Mary's trusted and devoted caregiver. A funeral service in Mary's honor will be held at 2:00 pm on June 13 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 on June 16 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Tyler, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any memorials be made to a charity of choice or Hospice Austin. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com