Mary Alice (Gearns) O'Donnell, 99,of Indianapolis passed away January 16, 2021 at Franciscan Hospice House after living 8 years at St. Paul Heritage. Mary Alice was born in Indianapolis September 18, 1921 to her parents the late Jim and Mary (Kennedy) Gearns. She was preceded in death by brothers Charles, William and Robert and sister Elizabeth "Betty". She was also preceded by her husband of 70 years, James "Jimmy" O'Donnell, the sole resident survivor of the USS Indianapolis and retired firefighter.
Mary Alice is survived by her sons James (Cindy), Thomas (JoAnn), Timothy (Suzy-deceased), and her daughter Mary Theresa Snyder (Terry); 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Mary Alice graduated from Holy Cross grade school in 1935 and St. Mary's Academy in 1939. Jimmy and Mary Alice were married New Year's Eve 1942. Mary Alice's Catholic Faith was extremely important to her, from her childhood at Holy Cross, raising her family at Our Lady of Lourdes and in retirement, at Holy Spirit. After her husband passed away she moved to St. Paul Hermitage where she lived for 8 years. Mary Alice was a homemaker, also working many part-time jobs to make ends meet. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend. she attended sporting events and activities for the many children in her family over the years. Mary Alice enjoyed bowling, golfing, bingo, horse racing and going to the casino. She enjoyed a good cold beer. She was active with the USS Indianapolis survivors organization, the Ave Maria Guild, and the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians. she was fun loving and giving and never knew a stranger. She was extremely proud of her family. She spoke often of their many talents and of the pleasure they brought her.
Mary Alice will be dearly missed. the family would like to thank all the caregivers at St. Paul Hermitage, Franciscan Hospice House, and Dr. Sheila Gamache for their love, care, and compassion.
Due to covid restrictions there will not be a service at this time. A celebration of life will be held for Mary later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Paul Hermitage or the USS Indianapolis survivors Organization.
Mary Alice is survived by her sons James (Cindy), Thomas (JoAnn), Timothy (Suzy-deceased), and her daughter Mary Theresa Snyder (Terry); 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Mary Alice graduated from Holy Cross grade school in 1935 and St. Mary's Academy in 1939. Jimmy and Mary Alice were married New Year's Eve 1942. Mary Alice's Catholic Faith was extremely important to her, from her childhood at Holy Cross, raising her family at Our Lady of Lourdes and in retirement, at Holy Spirit. After her husband passed away she moved to St. Paul Hermitage where she lived for 8 years. Mary Alice was a homemaker, also working many part-time jobs to make ends meet. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend. she attended sporting events and activities for the many children in her family over the years. Mary Alice enjoyed bowling, golfing, bingo, horse racing and going to the casino. She enjoyed a good cold beer. She was active with the USS Indianapolis survivors organization, the Ave Maria Guild, and the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians. she was fun loving and giving and never knew a stranger. She was extremely proud of her family. She spoke often of their many talents and of the pleasure they brought her.
Mary Alice will be dearly missed. the family would like to thank all the caregivers at St. Paul Hermitage, Franciscan Hospice House, and Dr. Sheila Gamache for their love, care, and compassion.
Due to covid restrictions there will not be a service at this time. A celebration of life will be held for Mary later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Paul Hermitage or the USS Indianapolis survivors Organization.
Mary Alice (Gearns) O'Donnell, 99,of Indianapolis passed away January 16, 2021 at Franciscan Hospice House after living 8 years at St. Paul Heritage. Mary Alice was born in Indianapolis September 18, 1921 to her parents the late Jim and Mary (Kennedy) Gearns. She was preceded in death by brothers Charles, William and Robert and sister Elizabeth "Betty". She was also preceded by her husband of 70 years, James "Jimmy" O'Donnell, the sole resident survivor of the USS Indianapolis and retired firefighter.
Mary Alice is survived by her sons James (Cindy), Thomas (JoAnn), Timothy (Suzy-deceased), and her daughter Mary Theresa Snyder (Terry); 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Mary Alice graduated from Holy Cross grade school in 1935 and St. Mary's Academy in 1939. Jimmy and Mary Alice were married New Year's Eve 1942. Mary Alice's Catholic Faith was extremely important to her, from her childhood at Holy Cross, raising her family at Our Lady of Lourdes and in retirement, at Holy Spirit. After her husband passed away she moved to St. Paul Hermitage where she lived for 8 years. Mary Alice was a homemaker, also working many part-time jobs to make ends meet. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend. she attended sporting events and activities for the many children in her family over the years. Mary Alice enjoyed bowling, golfing, bingo, horse racing and going to the casino. She enjoyed a good cold beer. She was active with the USS Indianapolis survivors organization, the Ave Maria Guild, and the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians. she was fun loving and giving and never knew a stranger. She was extremely proud of her family. She spoke often of their many talents and of the pleasure they brought her.
Mary Alice will be dearly missed. the family would like to thank all the caregivers at St. Paul Hermitage, Franciscan Hospice House, and Dr. Sheila Gamache for their love, care, and compassion.
Due to covid restrictions there will not be a service at this time. A celebration of life will be held for Mary later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Paul Hermitage or the USS Indianapolis survivors Organization.
Mary Alice is survived by her sons James (Cindy), Thomas (JoAnn), Timothy (Suzy-deceased), and her daughter Mary Theresa Snyder (Terry); 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Mary Alice graduated from Holy Cross grade school in 1935 and St. Mary's Academy in 1939. Jimmy and Mary Alice were married New Year's Eve 1942. Mary Alice's Catholic Faith was extremely important to her, from her childhood at Holy Cross, raising her family at Our Lady of Lourdes and in retirement, at Holy Spirit. After her husband passed away she moved to St. Paul Hermitage where she lived for 8 years. Mary Alice was a homemaker, also working many part-time jobs to make ends meet. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend. she attended sporting events and activities for the many children in her family over the years. Mary Alice enjoyed bowling, golfing, bingo, horse racing and going to the casino. She enjoyed a good cold beer. She was active with the USS Indianapolis survivors organization, the Ave Maria Guild, and the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians. she was fun loving and giving and never knew a stranger. She was extremely proud of her family. She spoke often of their many talents and of the pleasure they brought her.
Mary Alice will be dearly missed. the family would like to thank all the caregivers at St. Paul Hermitage, Franciscan Hospice House, and Dr. Sheila Gamache for their love, care, and compassion.
Due to covid restrictions there will not be a service at this time. A celebration of life will be held for Mary later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Paul Hermitage or the USS Indianapolis survivors Organization.
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