Dorothy Layman Giroir

Dorothy Elizabeth Layman Giroir passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, December, 15, 2013. Dorothy was born on May, 23, 1917 in Houston, Texas. Her mother was from a German family from Plantersville, Texas and her father was an Englishman from Kentucky and a railroad telegrapher. She graduated from high school in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Dorothy married Louby Anthony Giroir in Baytown, Texas on May 20, 1939. Her husband was a boilermaker and worked for Humble Oil and Refining Company. They were happily married for 47 years before he passed away in 1985. Dorothy and Louby made it possible for all 7 of their children to attend college without obtaining a loan. It was her dream for her children to go to college because she did not get the opportunity to go because of the Depression.

Dorothy achieved many things during her life with the kids. She volunteered for many years as secretary of St. Joseph’s Catholic School, which was across the street from their home, so that their children could attend Catholic school. She was known as “Mrs. St. Joseph” to the school children because when asked a question, she would have the answer. Dorothy was also the bookkeeper for the dancing school so all their children had an opportunity to take either ballroom dancing, ballet, tap, acrobatics or jazz. Dorothy sacrificed a lot while the children were growing up. She helped with paper routes, took the children to dance schools, to baseball games, boy scouts, etc. Dorothy was even the President of the Mother’s Club for the Catholic School. She was always active in the group and was a member for 25 years. Although she was not Czec, she was President of KJZT which is an organization of Czechoslovakian women where she learned to make the famous Kolaches.

She was a promoter of education, and an avid book reader and collector. She donated many books to the School’s Library Golden Books Program in memory of families that had lost a loved one. Over half the books in the library are probably hers that were donated over the many years that she worked there and through the Golden Books Program.

Because of the love and devotion that both Dorothy and Louby had for the church, when Dorothy’s husband passed away, she donated their home and land to St. Joseph’s Church with the instructions that a Rosary Garden be built in the place of their home.

Dorothy is survived by her 7 children, Robert Giroir of Houston, TX, Elizabeth Hussion of Katy, TX, Jeanette Cricchio of Hoover, AL, James Giroir of Baytown, TX, Thomas Giroir of Columbia, CT, Raymond Giroir of Houston, TX and Kenneth Giroir of Missouri City, TX. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and her sister Mary Helen Layman of Waco, TX. Dorothy is a Mother who always gave and asked nothing in return. We all love her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Joseph Catholic School Library, 1811 Carolina St., Baytown, TX 77520 or the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of your choice.