Helen Phyllis Watts, age 84, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026. Born to the late Blaine Taylor, Jr. and Phyllis Taylor, Helen was raised with a deep devotion to faith, family, and community. She was preceded in death by her loving parents and her brothers, Marty Taylor and Christopher Taylor.
A woman of remarkable spirit and warmth, Helen dedicated her life to cultivating her faith, building people up, and tending to the human spirit. Grounded in her deep empathy, she lived with an open heart and an unwavering commitment to accepting everyone – welcoming people of all races, backgrounds, and walks of life with genuine warmth and dignity. She was an extraordinarily caring, compassionate, and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose presence brought light to everyone around her.
An avid horticulturist and master gardener, Helen found immense joy and peace in the soil, nurturing flowers and plants with the same care she extended to others. Her curiosity and love for life extended far beyond her garden; she was a voracious reader, a classical music enthusiast, and a lifelong student of languages, world history, and the arts. Helen shared her love of music as a parishioner at St. Luke Catholic Church and as a dedicated singer in the Indianapolis Catholic Choir.
Helen is survived by her beloved husband, William "Bill" R. Watts, Jr.; her five cherished daughters, Rebecca Page, Kelly Tyler, Lisa Watts, Aimee Englert, and Maria Bryce; her siblings, Robert Taylor, Blaine Taylor III, Annette Wurtz, Zachary Taylor, and Debra Parcell along with 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her endless joy.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Leppert Mortuary Nora Chapel (740 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 11:30 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Dr E, Indianapolis, IN 46260.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Leppert Mortuary. Online condolences and memories may be shared on the Helen Watts Memorial Page on www.leppertmortuary.com.
Memorial contributions in Helen's honor may be made to support her passions for faith, music, and gardening to the St. Luke Catholic Church Sacred Music Ministry or Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
