Margaret Ann Pierce

79, of Indianapolis, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 9, 2012 of complications following surgery. She was born August 30, 1932 in Logansport, Indiana to Richard J. and Ruth A. Shank Falvey. She grew up in Winamac, Indiana. The oldest of four sisters, Peg attended St. Peter Catholic School in Winamac and was active in 4-H, and the American Legion’s Girls State convention in high school. Peg attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette, IN where she earned her RN diploma, and also where she met the love of her life, Emmett (Bill). She married Dr. Emmett Coin Pierce on June 8th, 1954. She was a stay at home mother of 8 who stayed busy and productive being a Cub Scout den mother, a room mother at Little Flower Catholic School where her children attended, and a chauffeur extraordinaire to sports practices, music lessons, swim lessons, art lessons and other after school activities. She was a long time member of Little Flower Catholic Church. Peg encouraged lots of reading, good study habits and a good work ethic at home and at school, and introduced her children to music, theater and the arts at Clowes Hall, Indiana Repertory Theater, Starlight Musicals, Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Indiana State Museum. She maintained lifelong friendships with some of her nursing school classmates, and enjoyed enduring friendships with a few dear friends over many, many years. She loved backyard birding, cultivating roses, and growing peonies and tomatoes. She loved the abundant forsythias, lilac bushes and redbud tree in her backyard. She loved being a mother taking care of her family. Peg was active in the Newman Guild at Butler University, Sertoma Club of East Indianapolis, and The Eastside Orchestra Guild. She collected for the American Heart Association door-to-door, often taking one of her children along “for the experience”. She had a passion for history particularly Indiana State History, and was probably behind one summer’s covered bridges tour, with the family packed tightly into the station wagon. She was a perennial Indy 500 fan, attending the race with Bill and a cadre of friends for several years. Later they continued the tradition with an annual neighborhood friends and family Indy 500 Race party complete with checkered flags lining the Pierce driveway, and the radios turned to full volume. She loved swimming, playing tennis, reading historical fiction, and loved traveling all over the world with Bill once an empty nest was achieved! In spite of facing the challenges of increasing physical ailments and disability over the past several years and the loss of her husband in 2004, Peg maintained her characteristic stoicism, selflessness, sharp wit and independence until the end. Peg is survived by her children Lauralee (Peter) Middleton of Kalamazoo, MI, Mark R. Pierce of Cincinnati, OH, William D. Pierce of Indianapolis, Robert E. Pierce of Chicago, IL, Suzanne (Joseph) Rauh of Fishers, Anastasia (Penney) Pierce of Terre Haute, John C. Pierce of Indianapolis and Patrick J. Pierce of Chiang Mai, Thailand, grandchildren Lindsey M. Neal of Grand Rapids, MI, Carrie A. (Mike) Desjardins of Kalamazoo, MI, Thomas Rauh of Indianapolis, Becca Rauh of Denver, CO, step-grandchildren Catelin F. Middleton of Kalamazoo, MI, P. Hyatt Middleton of Hendersonville, NC, and Jevin S. Middleton of Kalamazoo, MI, sisters Kay Lanter of Roanoke, VA, Jo (Abe) Bernstein of Goshen and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Emmett (Bill) Pierce and sister Patricia Falvey. Funeral services will be Tuesday August 14, at 9:30 am at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at Little Flower Catholic Church. Visitation will be Monday August 13 from 4 – 8 pm at the mortuary. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Contributions may be made in her name to Little Flower Catholic School or Arthritis Foundation. Condolences may be offered at www.feeneyhornakshadeland.com