Mary C. Crean

Mary Elizabeth Camblin Crean, 89, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, in Indianapolis. Mary was born on May 5, 1935, in New York City, New York, to Margaret (born Donovan) and John Camblin, and grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Graduating in 1957, she was president of her class at Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. After graduation she was married to C. Lee Crean, Jr. for 31 years and had five sons: Kevin (Penny), Timothy (Sarah), Christopher (Nancy), Colin, and Peter (Theresa).

Mary was a woman of great social conscience and dedicated much of her life to advancing civil rights, the rights of women, and helping those in need, especially children. After moving to Indianapolis in 1973, Mary became a lobbyist for the Legal Services Organization where she was responsible for successful efforts to advance nursing home reform and legislation to champion the rights of tenants across Indiana. Following her work with LSO, Mary became Deputy Superintendent of the Indianapolis Public Schools where she served as a spokeswoman and was responsible for lobbying to secure resources for the school system.

In her private life, she loved reading, politics, the arts, music, and her gardens. She served at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and attended Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts whenever she could.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, and two of her sisters, Kathleen Hartnett and Sara Breault. She is survived by her sister Sheila Duffy, five sons, eleven grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held for family and friends at the Crown Hill Funeral Home-Gothic Chapel, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, on Sunday, January 26th, 2025, from 2:00 until 5:00 PM. All are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist, 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, IN 46037, at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 27, 2025. Mary will be laid to rest in Crown Hill Cemetery, 700 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations may be made to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, or the Indiana Democratic Party.