Mary Louise Messer

88, of Beech Grove, passed away on June 23, 2017.

Mary loved crossword puzzles and did the Indy Star crossword everyday. When the kids were much, much younger she worked regular puzzles. She once told us that if you figured out the clue for the crossword puzzle in the Sunday paper it was easier to complete. She was an avid reader and loved mysteries! She loved "Judge Judy" and a bit of ice cream every evening. She was very hard of hearing. While talking with her if she didn't hear you you got the giggle. I called it her not hearing laugh.Then you knew to repeat a bit louder. Mary loved all things Garfield the Cat. Now she didn't like cats in general. But she loved this cat. I think it was the humorous sarcasm.

She didn't have an easy life with raising 7 children mostly by herself. She loved all her children and grandchildren unconditionally.

After her divorce she knew she needed a better job. George and Janie Koorsen offered her a job if she finished high school. She dropped out in her Senior year at Tech High School. She went back to Evening Division of Manual High School graduating in May of 1970 and went to work at what was then Indiana Fire Prevention, now Koorsen Fire and Safety. They hired her before she graduated, as they saw potential in her as a good person, and she was a loyal employee for 40+ years.

She survived Tongue Cancer in late 2016 with grueling radiation treatment and chemo and never complained!. She did tell us that while she had to lay on her back for 20 minutes for the radiation it was very hard on her.She told us that sometimes she would sing to herself, pray or other times just use up all her cuss words.She never fully recovered from this.

She traveled to Denver Colorado for one of her grandchildren's wedding by herself at the age of 73!

She was also a giver...it was family first. Her satisfaction was seeing someone else happy and taken care of.

Mary is survived by her children; Angie (Dave) Devine, Pamela Lantis, Charles Messer Jr., Catherine "Kitty" Thompson , Frank (Julie) Messer and Cindy Gross. She is survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, along with her brothers; Robert (Willy) Cooley and Ray Brunnemer. Mary was preceded in death by her children; Mary Margaret, Adam Pence and Daniel Pence.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Little and Sons Beech Grove Chapel on Thursday, June 29, 2017 from 4-7pm.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity in Mary's honor.

www.littleandsonsbeechgrove.com

Arrangements under the direction of Little & Sons Funeral Home, Beech Grove, IN.