Alice Marie Shoemaker

Alice Shoemaker lived what one friend called a “life of love and purpose.” She loved life, laughter, music, gardening and dogs, caring deeply for her family and friends, who, in turn, were fiercely devoted to her. She will be remembered fondly for her hearty laugh, her rich contralto voice, and her willingness to try new experiences, whether it was adventurous travel, or simply a rickshaw ride through a New York City downpour.

She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan with a degree in music. Later, she earned a Master’s degree in English from Butler University and completed the course work towards a doctorate at IU Bloomington. After twenty years of teaching English at Broad Ripple and Noblesville High Schools and IUPUI, she retired and went back to school, earning a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Christian Theological Seminary. She maintained a private counseling practice for individuals and couples for ten years.

Alice sang professionally at Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, Meridian Street Methodist Church, and Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. In later years, she was a mainstay in the Cathedral Singers of North United Methodist Church.

She and her husband, Bob, were life-long Methodists who taught Sunday School and chaperoned youth field and work trips for NUMC. Along with two other couples, they formed “Leaven,” a support group for the LGBTQ community. When a fellow alto gave birth to triplets, Alice stepped up as their “local grandmother,” driving to their home on a regular basis to help rock them, feed them, and give the whole family her loving support. In her later years, at Abbie Hunt Bryce Home, her many friends repaid that loyalty with regular visits, bringing music and companionship to Alice’s last days.

Alice’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Amick of Wakarusa, Indiana, and her husband of 56 years, Dr. Robert L. Shoemaker, predeceased her. She is survived by her two sons, Mark Amick Shoemaker of Austin, Texas; and Scott Robert Shoemaker (Cindy), of Indianapolis.

A memorial service will be held 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. Saturday, July 12 at North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St, Calling will immediately follow from 11:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. A private interment for family is scheduled at Crown Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the excellent caregivers at Paradigm Hospice and Abbie Hunt Bryce Home, and the dear members of Alice's Village. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Music Fund or Bread & Bowl at North United Methodist Church, or to a charity of one’s choice.