Mary Louise Story

passed away Dec. 22, 2010. She was born on May 11, 1925, in Paris, IL, to Jeptha Nichols and Leta Coburn Nichols. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Jerold B. Story, (a decorated war veteran), and her great-nephew, Allen Q. Strehlow. She is survived by her sister, Martha Nichols Allen Hulet (Richard) of Indianapolis, her nieces and nephew Maribeth Allen (Chicago), Janet Allen (Joel Grynheim, Indianapolis) and Jay Allen (Normal, IL), great-nieces Leah and Nira Grynheim, and great-nephews William Strehlow, Evan and Mitchell Allen; stepson Jerry Bratcher (Margaret, Bloomington, IL), step-granddaughters Julie Davis (Chris, Champaign, IL), and Christie Hines (Mike, Chicago), and step-greatgrandsons Christopher Davis and Owen Hines.

Mary was employed for many years as a medical records administrator by VA hospitals in Memphis and various locations in California. She shared, with her husband, Jack, a great love of nature and animals; they became life-long activists supporting nature conservancy, environmental and animal rights causes. Later in life, Mary developed a deep appreciation of Native American culture, and became a committed contributor to many Native causes. She also collected Native American art and artifacts, and recently gifted part of that collection to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.

Mary was a deeply loving and devoted family member, delighting in the activities of the children and extended family of cousins spread across the country. She loved communicating with far-flung friends and family via the internet. She was a passionate reader and classical music enthusiast. She taught her family its greatest lessons about unconditional love.

Mary converted to Catholicism in 1985 and derived tremendous joy and support from her chosen faith, living, in retirement, first at Our Lady of the Snows, Bellville, IL, and finally at St. Augustine’s, Indianapolis, IN, where her life ended surrounded by the caring community of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine’s chapel at 11:00 am on Friday, December 24th. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Story’s name to St. Augustine’s, Little Sisters of the Poor, 2345 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260. Services entrusted to Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary. Condolences may be offered at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com