Her death was not expected, nor did it linger. 84 years of a rich, full life, ended.
Hers was not a fragmented life of scattered interests- it was all a whole cloth of love (how apt for such a seamstress!): love for her husband Bill, her daughters Jennifer and Louise, her family, her Church and pretty much everyone she met.
William (her husband of 63 years) remarks “She was very good at getting flowers to grow”. Indeed, at bringing forth the best in things she excelled- gardens, sewing, the kitchen- certainly; but especially people.
A gifted teacher, she received her preparation at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, followed by Bachelors and Masters degrees (Education, English, and Drama) at Butler University. Her professional career commenced wrangling high school students in the arts of the English language and drama at Washington High School. In years following, she taught at Brebeuf and within the Indianapolis Public Schools at the elementary and middle school levels. Bringing her caring, perceptive eye to each pupil, she looked for the potential within and nurtured each towards full growth, never shy to weed when needed!
Of her many, many joys, one chief was among the members of the Congregation of Northminster Presbyterian Church on Kessler Boulevard, Indianapolis. She didn’t simply attend- she was dug in and deeply rooted! Having joined the fledgling congregation in the Spring of 1956, wedded there in 1957, she tended that plant as a Deacon, Elder, a leader in the Church School and the Chancel Care Committee and a choir member. There is a hole in that congregation now, where once and for so long she abided and was nourished. She would no doubt smile and say she’s been transplanted.
Books. Can’t say she never met a book she didn’t like but she was deeply interested in books. Starting a library at the church, delving through more than a quarter century of engaged book club discussions, savoring new ideas, new perspectives, bringing forth new wants and thoughts. Not given to shallow or cursory readings, she wanted to know, and was able and willing to do the work needed to coax the seed of an idea or impression into flower.
She took great delight and interest in the many birds (less so the squirrels) that flocked to their feeders once they moved to Westminster Village. Had she been able to think of a dish to cook for them she surely would have. Instead, she turned her consummate talents in the kitchen towards her husband and family, and was never happier than when her hands were covered in pie dough. There was no need to consult a cookbook or the internet if one needed to know what to do for a dish. A phone call to Caddie would tell all one needs to know. Creativity, curiosity, inventiveness, and care marked everything she turned her hand to, and her apple pies will live in Memory Eternal.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William Lord; their daughters Rev. Dr. Jennifer Lord (husband Casey Clapp) of Austin, TX; Dr. Louise Lord Nelson (husband Carl Nelson) of Indianapolis, her bonus grandchildren of Loren Clapp (Beacon, NY), Nathaniel and Maria Clapp, along with their infant (bonus great grandbaby) Sage (San Marcos, TX); her sister Jesslyn of Murfreesboro, TN; her sister-in- law Jane Spires (Wally Minnis) of Decatur, IL; and treasured family members of Indianapolis and afar. She is pre-deceased by her brother Sam and sister Giovanna.
In the end, perhaps the most telling thing about Caddie is how hard it was to find a photo of her where she wasn’t smiling or laughing. Her evident joy in simply being here and loving us was a thing to behold.
Calling Hours and Viewing: The family requests physical distancing and masks. Hours: 4-7pm, Wednesday August 5, 2020, Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Boulevard East Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46220.
Funeral Service: Service of Witness to the Resurrection at 10am Thursday August 6, 2020. This is a Private Family Funeral Service (due to restrictions of COVID-19) which will also be Live-Streamed via the Northminster website: https://livestream.com/northminsterindy/events/3071550”
Memorial gifts can be made to Northminster Presbyterian Church Indianapolis, for the Library Fund or .
Sound and Spirit, Northminster’s arts series.
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