Mary Lou Lannan

Mary Lou Lannan, 92, of Indianapolis, departed this life peacefully January 26, 2023. She was born April 29, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Arnold (“Chief”) and Alice (“Chooch”) Kidwell. She is also preceded in death by her husband Bernie Lannan and brothers-in-law Dave Marmonti and Dan McCallister. She was a proud graduate of St. John Academy and a faithful member of St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church.

She is survived by her six children, Larry Lannan (Jane), Tom Lannan (Kathy), Barbara Glass (Fred), Diane Mooney (Jim), Tony Lannan (Melanie), and Tim Lannan (Shelly); 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters DeeDee Marmonti and Susie Gilstrap and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Mary Lou was gracious, understanding, and entertaining to all. When you were with Mary Lou you knew you were welcome. She was a loyal friend. Even as a busy young wife and mother raising six kids, she would drive with Bernie across town to patronize a St. John classmate dentist: important support for a woman trying to start a dental practice in the ‘60s. Mary Lou was tough, beating cancer as a young mother of six, as well as a serious heart ailment 11 years ago. She was a dedicated daughter, living with Chooch for the last 25 years of her life, and a fun and devoted sister. The four of them lived their own special version of TV’s Golden Girls for many years.

She was smart, rarely missing a question watching Jeopardy and undoubtedly would have made its Tournament of Champions if she’d had the opportunity. She was an avid and adept card player, regularly schooling her many friends in bridge and her family in euchre. She took pride in completing crossword puzzles – in ink. A big sports fan, she hated the Cowboys and the Yankees, but loved all teams Indiana, plus the Kansas City Chiefs. Asked just this last Saturday by a grandson if she was going to “watch Mahomes”, Mary Lou, still totally with it, said: “I sure am. 4:30. I already have it set on the right channel!”

Visitation will start at 10:00 am with the Mass of Christian Burial at noon on Tuesday, January 31, at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, 8155 Oaklandon Road, with burial following at Calvary Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life starting at 3:00 at the Northside Knights of Columbus and Event Center, 2100 E. 71st Street, to which all friends and family are invited.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul (St. Vincent de Paul - Indianapolis Council Memorial and Tribute Gifts Page (etapestry.com)) or The American Heart Association (American Heart Association | To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives).

Online condolences may be left at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com.