Patricia Anne Spellacy

Patricia Anne Spellacy (Gaynor), age 86, passed away on April 2, 2021. Pat was born on January 19, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois as the only child to Irving and Nora (Tully) Gaynor. Pat graduated high school from St. Casimir Academy, Chicago. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Education from the Chicago Teacher’s College, she went on to teach at Chicago Public Schools. In 1956, she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Francis Spellacy, and soon moved to Indianapolis in 1964 where together they raised their nine children. As a young girl growing up on the south side of Chicago, Pat took Irish dance lessons every Saturday where her passion and pride for her Irish heritage flourished. In keeping with her love for Irish culture, Pat soon found herself teaching Irish dance in the basement of St. Michael’s church where the Irish Dancers of Indianapolis originated. As the dance school grew, Pat recruited Michael Flatley, before his fame, to come to Indianapolis from Chicago to teach Irish dance on Saturdays. Pat can be credited with bringing Irish dancing to Indianapolis where she is well known in the Irish community. As active members of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Pat served as the President of the Women’s Club, member of the Parish Council and President of the Indianapolis Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Board. In recognition of her many years of sustained service to youth, she was honored with the Monsignor Albert Busald Award and the St. John Bosco Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon a volunteer by the CYO. The Spellacy family was chosen by the Knights of Columbus as its Family of the Month because of their inspiration to their parish, community, and council. Pat’s greatest source of pride and joy however is her family. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who created a legacy with family traditions that will be fondly remembered and cherished. She taught us that nothing is more important than family. She is our beloved Matriarch. Her big smile, optimistic disposition and sincere interest in others made her a pleasure to be around. Her advice was sought and we listened. She will be forever missed by her nine children, Kerry Bender (Mark), Kevin (Alma Noreika), Kathleen Scaletty, Patrick, Colleen Cline (Mark), Mary Clare, Shawn (Allison Parker), Daniel, and Meghan MacKelly (Matthew). Grandma was immensely proud of her grandchildren whom she cheered onto many victories. She was the biggest fan of Joseph and Michael Bender; Samantha and Anna Spellacy; James (Meghan Wiggs), Erin, Lauren, Lindsay and Liam Scaletty; Emily, Matthew, Caroline, and Catherine Cline; Peyton and Parker Spellacy; and Colin and Nora MacKelly—all of whom adore her. Pat is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Francis Spellacy and their two children, Thomas and Patricia. The funeral service will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, with visitation at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th Street on Friday, April 9, from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the CYO or to St. Michael’s.