Shirley Hayden
August 22, 1943 ~ August 18, 2025
Shirley Theresa Hayden, age 81, of Leonardtown, MD passed away on August 18, 2025.
Born August 22, 1943, in Leonardtown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Aloysius Latham and Mary Laura (Bailey) Latham.
Shirley graduated from Father Andrew White School in 1957 and from St. Mary’s Academy in 1961. She married her loving husband of 63 years on June 30, 1962, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Morganza, MD.
Shirley enjoyed flower arranging and decorating for the holidays, especially Christmas. She retired from St. Mary’s County Government Land Use and Growth Department in 2005. Her faith was steadfast, and she had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Shirley was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Shirley is survived by her husband George E. Hayden, Jr.; her children George E. Hayden III (Crystal) of Clements MD, Sheila Cullins of Bushwood, MD and Brian Hayden of Mechanicsville, MD; her grandchildren, George E. Hayden IV (Christine) of Clements, MD, Rachel Hayden of Clements, MD, Michael Hayden (Colleen) of Clements, MD, Jenna Anderson (Mike) of Cheyenne, WY; and her great-grandchildren, Raelee Clem, and Maggie, Frankie and Sam Hayden. She was preceded in death by her sister Ginger Freeman.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with prayers recited at 7:00 pm at the Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated by Father Drew Royals on Thursday August 28, 2025, at 10:00 am. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Morganza, MD. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood MD.
Serving as pallbearers will be George Hayden IV, Michael Hayden, Todd Hayden, Gary Mattingly, David Mattingly, and Craig Goldsborough.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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Sheila and family,
I am so sorry to hear this. She was such a sweet lady.
Wayne & Eva
I worked with Shirley at Planning and Zoning/Land Use & Growth Management. Shirley was such a sweet and kind lady that always had time to listen. My condolences go out to her husband, George and her family. Remember all the great times you shared with her and share those memories to all that knew her. May God welcome her with open arms. Rest in peace, Shirley.
My sincere condolences to Shirleys family. I went to Father Andrew White with Shirley in the 7th and 8th grade as well as 9th and 10th grade. My family moved to D. C. . Despite my move, we remained friends and celebrated our 16th birthday at St. Josephs Hall I remember spin the bottle parties at her house and our times at Girl Scout camp where we had many good times. She and Mary Martha entertained us with their great harmony . Most of girl scout camp was laughing and sharing our interests in boys. As far as I can recall, Her love was always George. We shared our love for dancing and so many good times together. I am happy for George and all of her children who were lucky enough to have her as a wife and mother. I will miss our phone time even though it was infrequent. To all of you who are grieving her loss, she was a special person with so much love to give in this life. I will miss her.