Mary Jane Meeker - Stogsdill

Mary Jane Coleman Meeker-Stogsdill, age 97, passed away on November 11, 2023. She was born September 24, 1926, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late Robert D. and Phyllis Clark Coleman. Mary Jane graduated from Broad Ripple High School, Stephens College and Indiana University, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She met Howard R. (Bob) Meeker on a double date the summer of her junior year and they were married in June of 1949, quickly followed by four children, Bill, Sally, Janet and Doug. After all the children were of school age, she started working at the John Herron Museum of Art, later the Indianapolis Museum of Art, as their docent/tour coordinator. She developed a school curriculum combining art history and architecture, became a research curator at the Indiana State Museum, and an Educational Consultant to the Indiana Historical Bureau. She enjoyed giving lectures on art and Indiana history, and was a past president of the Indianapolis Panhellenic Association, the Contemporary Club of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis Women’s Club. Mary Jane served on the Board of the Indianapolis Art Center, The Indiana Historical Society, and the Board of Governors for the Indiana Pioneer Society. After Bob passed away in 2015, Mary Jane met Willis Wordsworth (Woody) Stogsdill. They were married in 2017, ages 90 and 91. They enjoyed four years of bliss before Woody passed away in 2020. Mary Jane is survived by her children: Bill Meeker (PJ Schamun), Sally Meeker Moore (J. Chris Moore), Janet Meeker Takayanagi (Michael Takayanagi), Doug Meeker, (Beth Meeker), grandchildren: Kristin Meeker (Glen Corcoran), Lexi Meeker, Jeremy Moore (Carrie Moore), Eric Moore (Rachael Moore), Scott and Katy Meeker, great grandchildren: Jack and Laney Moore, and one on the way! She is also survived by Don and Tricia Stogsdill, Jan (Stogsdill) and Sam Hennessee, and Kathy (Stogsdill) Hackleman. Memorials may be made to the Indiana Historical Society (450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202), Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields (4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208), or to the Indianapolis Art Center (820 E 67th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220). Visitation for Mary Jane will be will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 12:00pm - 1:00pm at Second Presbyterian Church (7700 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260). Followed by Mary Jane's Memorial Service at 1:00 pm. A reception will then follow at the Stratford Retirement Center, 2460 Glebe St, Carmel, Indiana, 46032. Condolences and memories of Mary Jane’s long life can be shared at www.leppertmortuary.com