Mary Garey, 89; Mother and Grandmother of Hollywood Actresses

Mary Garey, 89, who appeared in books and magazine articles with her famous offspring, actress daughter Diane Ladd and granddaughter Laura Dern, died May 23 in Ojai of natural causes.

Born Mary Bernadette Anderson in Mobile, Ala., Garey spent most of her life in Mississippi, relocating to Ojai in 1998 to be closer to her family. She was primarily a housewife who had bit parts in several films. She was widowed by two husbands, Preston Paul Ladner and Daniel Garey. Ladd was her daughter with Ladner.

In 1997, Garey, Ladd and Dern graced the cover of the book “Mothers and Daughters,” by Lauren Cowen and Jayne Wexler, which explored the complex relationships between daughters and their mothers through essays and photos. The three-generation trio, unlike many subjects of the book, reported that they enjoyed a happy association throughout their lives.

Garey, who had a soft Southern accent, was a popular guest at the two Oscar nominees’ various award ceremonies and gave Ladd away at her 1999 Bel-Air wedding to businessman Robert C. Hunter.