Mary Jayne Hearne

Mary Jayne Hearne passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Cornerstone Assisted Living Center in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on December 12, 1935, in Ruston, Louisiana, to Jules Charles and Ruth G. Lestage.

Early Life and Family

Mary Jayne, known affectionately as Skeeter, moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where her father opened a feed store. She attended Lake Charles High School and played drums in the marching band. After graduation, she returned to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University, where she was an active member of Kappa Delta sorority.

In a dance class, she met the love of her life, Richard Hearne. They made quite a pair on the dance floor, and all the other girls were jealous. They married on January 27, 1956, before Richard entered the United States Air Force. In May 1958, they welcomed their first child, Steven Eric, in Lake Charles. Three years later, while stationed in Okinawa, they welcomed their second child, Stefani Lynne.

Life as an Air Force Family

Mary Jayne embraced the life of an Air Force family with grace, warmth, and pride. She was the consummate officer’s wife, welcoming dignitaries and friends alike and making each place they lived feel like home. Alongside Richard, she traveled across the country and overseas during his 30-year United States Air Force career, building friendships and memories wherever they went.

After Richard’s retirement, Mary Jayne and Richard put down roots at Woodlake Country Club, where they built their dream home on the 18th tee box. She poured love and care into their yard for as long as she was able, taking pride in the beauty she created. Mary Jayne loved to entertain and on any given night there was happy hour or a dinner party taking place at the Hearne’s. Camping had long been part of the Hearne family’s story, and in retirement she and Richard became dedicated RVers, traveling across the country to visit friends and family and to enjoy the simple joy of seeing new places together.

Sports, Golf, and the Teams She Loved

Mary Jayne loved sports, and she loved sharing that enthusiasm with the people around her. A proud Louisiana Tech graduate, she cheered for fellow alumnus Terry Bradshaw during his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. When Steve and Stefani attended Texas Tech, she quickly became a devoted Red Raiders fan, and the family’s years in Lubbock only deepened that connection.

Her loyalty followed the Red and Black into the NFL after the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes. She also loved basketball, especially the San Antonio Spurs, and watched them faithfully. If football or basketball was not on, golf usually was. Mary Jayne played golf until her health no longer allowed her to continue, a loss that was heartbreaking for her. Even then, the game remained a big part of her life through Richard, who happily played on any day ending in “Y.”

Family, Love, and Gratitude

Mary Jayne was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Brigadier General Richard E. Hearne. She leaves behind a family who loved her dearly and will carry her memory forward: her son, Dr. Steven E. Hearne (Linda) of San Antonio, Texas; her daughter, Stefani L. Cunningham (Alan) of Lubbock, Texas; six grandchildren, Colby Vignes (Doug), Dr. Jason Hearne (Christina), Callen Hearne (Abbi), Bryson Hearne (Calla), Dr. Wesley Cunningham (Meredith), and Makenzi McInnes (Kalab); and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family is deeply grateful to all of Mary Jayne’s caregivers, especially Jimmy and Vanessa Lopez, Marcel and Roxy Termure, and the staff at Cornerstone Assisted Living, for the kindness, patience, and care they gave her.

Services and Remembrances

Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of Mary Jayne on Sunday, October 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, Texas. She will be laid to rest alongside Richard during a private graveside service Monday, October 5, at 9:45 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mary Jayne’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, or [email protected]. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Hearne family.