Mary Alice O'Donnell

Mary Alice (Gearns) O’Donnell, 99, of Indianapolis passed away January 16, 2021 at Franciscan Hospice House after living 8 years at St Paul Hermitage. Mary Alice was born in Indianapolis September 18, 1921 to her parents, the late Jim and Mary (Kennedy) Gearns. She was predeceased by brothers Charles, William and Robert and sister Elizabeth “Betty”. She was also predeceased by her husband James “Jimmy” O’Donnell, the sole resident survivor of the USS Indianapolis and retired Indianapolis Firefighter. Jimmy and Mary Alice had just celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary prior to his death. Mary Alice is survived by her sons James (Cindy), Thomas (JoAnn), Timothy (Suzy-deceased), and her daughter Mary Theresa Snyder (Terry); 11 Grandchildren, Kathleen (David) Ray, Colleen (Marc) Moran, James (Michelle) O’Donnell, Kelly (Andrew) Gary, Thomas (Carly Buchwald) O’Donnell, Sean (Meena Walker) O’Donnell, Shannon O’Donnell, Haley (Clayton) Garard, Connor (Nicole) Hofmeister, Kevin Hofmeister, and Kyle Hofmeister; 13 Great Grandchildren, Aidan, Keegan, Brady, Levi, Ava, Everly, James, Kennedy, Jocelyn, Makayla, Zoe, Scarlett, and Molly. Mary Alice graduated from Holy Cross grade school in 1935 and St. Mary’s Academy in 1939. Jimmy and Mary Alice were married New Year’s Eve 1942. Mary Alice’s Catholic faith was extremely important to her, from her childhood at Holy Cross, raising her family at Our Lady of Lourdes and in retirement at Holy Spirit. After her husband passed away she moved to St Paul Hermitage where she lived for 8 years and attended chapel prayer services or mass daily. She said the rosary daily. Mary Alice, a homemaker, also worked many part -time jobs to make ends meet. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend. She attended sporting events and activities for the many children in her family over the years. Mary Alice enjoyed bowling, golfing, bingo, horse racing and going to the casino. She always enjoyed a good cold beer. She was active with the USS Indianapolis Survivors organization, the Ave Maria Guild, and the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernian’s. Mary Alice made friends wherever she went. She was fun-loving and giving and never knew a stranger. She was extremely proud of her family. She spoke often of their many talents and of the pleasure they brought her. Mary Alice will be dearly missed! The family would like to thank all the caregivers at St Paul Hermitage, Franciscan Hospice House, and Dr. Sheila Gamache for their love, care and compassion. A Celebration of Life will be held at Primo South Banquet Hall, 2615 National Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46227, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Prayer service at Noon with Fr. Michael O'Mara Condolences may be sent care of Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary at 1307 Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis IN 46219. www.FeeneyHornakShadland.com In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be sent to St Paul Hermitage or the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization. https://www.stpaulhermitage.org or https://www.ussindianapolis.com