Delores "Jean" Lay

Delores “Jean” Lay (nee: Pennington), 79 years of age, and a resident of Amherst, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2024.

She was born January 1, 1945 at her home in  Chesapeake, West Virginia. Jean had made her home in Lorain County for many years.

Her primary purpose in life was that of a homemaker.  Jean loved being a wife, mother and grandmother.  Her two daughters, Lisa and Carol meant  everything to her. They were Jean's Angels here on earth. She met her husband Bobby when she was 14 years old and knew at that moment she would marry him. Jean’s father was a Baptist preacher and she was raised in a Christian home where she grew her love for the Lord. 

She loved being outdoors, growing flowers and plants.  Jean also enjoyed archery with her family. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting and writing and at one time she had over 100 pen pals. She had a heart of gold and was a loving, giving person to her family and her friends.

Survivors include her daughters, Lisa Hensel (Mark) of Tallmadge, Carol Gornek (fiance Ken LaRoche) of Norwalk, OH; her grandchildren, Ricky Gornek (Desiree), Brenton Lawson (Allison), and Nathan LaRoche; her great grandchildren, Aretimus Lawson, Ayden Lawson, Addison Lawson, Archer Lawson and Asher Lawson; her siblings, Linda Glass of Lorain, Rose Coleman of Kentucky and Mary Bolyard of Wellington.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-four years Bobby R. Lay on January 19, 2015; her siblings, Arthur Ray Pennington, Joyce Keathley and Martha Price; and her parents, Okey and Elizabeth Pennington (nee: Woods).

Friends may call Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 11:00 a.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst.  Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com. Burial will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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