Kay Manion Wightman

Kay Manion Wightman, who cherished both Indianapolis, Indiana and Sanibel, Florida, died on Sunday, September 26, 2021 surrounded by her family at age 81. She was born in Marion, Ohio on June 9, 1940, the daughter of Glenard Leroy and Frances Virginia (nee Hoar) Pierson. Kay attended and graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio where she met the love of her life, Marlow William (Bill) Manion, Jr.

Kay was passionate about volunteering, philanthropy and making her communities better places for all. She served as a Vice President of the Junior League of Indianapolis, President of the Christamore Aid Society where she also chaired its annual “Tree Spree” holiday event, President of the Allisonville Elementary School PTO, President of the North Central High School Triangle Club, President and founder of Indianapolis Speech and Hearing, President of the Indianapolis Women’s Retirement Home Board of Directors and Chairperson of the Washington Township President’s Council.

A longtime member of First Median Heights Presbyterian Church, Kay served numerous terms as a Deacon and an Elder. She was a founding member of Chapter EB of PEO. Also while in Florida, she volunteered as a docent at the Sanibel Historical Society.

Kay also enjoyed painting, golf, reading, traveling and walking daily through her neighborhoods. Each of her children proudly display many of her watercolor paintings in their homes. On Thursdays in the fall, winter and spring, Kay could be found at The Dunes Golf Course with the “Nifty Niners” playing a round and enjoying lunch and fellowship afterward. She enjoyed being a member of numerous book clubs. Kay never turned down the opportunity for a new adventure and enjoyed traveling to familiar locations and new destinations with family and friends. She had a special route that she walked each morning when in Sanibel that took her to the Gulf of Mexico where she often stopped for prayer and reflection. Kay had a positive attitude in all that she did, whether her undertakings were great or small. This continued with her own battle against cancer.

Most of all, Kay took great pride in her family. She cherished her four children, two daughters-in-law, two sons-in- law and 13 grandchildren. She was the loving mother of John (Lorelle) Manion, Susan (Richard) Wynne, Virginia (Daniel) Bryan and Michael (Sarah) Manion. She was the proud grandmother of Grant, Brett, Kent and Emma Manion; Margaret (Meg), Jane and Lucille (Lucy) Wynne; William (Emmett), Thomas and Pierson Bryan; and Katherine (Katie), Alexander (Alex) and Theodore (Ted) Manion.

A few years following the untimely death of her husband Bill in 1998 after a noble battle with brain cancer, Kay met and married her late life companion, Fredrick P. Wightman. After 18 years together, Fred passed away on May 1, 2018. Kay is further survived by many cousins, other relatives and numerous friends. She will be forever missed.

Heartfelt appreciation is extended to Joy, Frankie and Life’s Journey Hospice for their kind and compassionate care provided to Kay and her family during her final journey in life.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary- Nora, 740 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240. Her funeral will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, 4701 Central Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205. Graveside services will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Memorials in Kay’s name are appreciated to the Indiana Women In Need Foundation, 8515 Cedar Place Drive, Suite 103a, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (www.iwinfoundation.org); the Autism Society Central Ohio, P.O. Box 272, Worthington, OH 43085 (www.autismcentralohio.org); the Indiana Chapter of JDRF, 225 S. East Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (www.jdrf.org); and First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church (www.fmhpc.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leppertmortuarynora.com for the Manion family.