Nancy Callender Baxter

Nancy Callender Baxter passed away on February 27, 2022, at the age of 90. Nancy was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 28, 1931, the daughter of Elizabeth Dickey Callender and Leonard C. Callender. After her father passed away, her mother married Clemens W. Herman and the family moved to Milwaukee where she graduated prep school from Milwaukee Downer Seminary. Following graduation from The Ogontz School in Pennsylvania with a drama degree, she moved to Indianapolis with her family.

Nancy married Robert R. Baxter in 1952 in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she remained a member.

They raised three children: Robert Kimberly Baxter (wife: Pam, children: Elizabeth (Bridget), Matthew (Katie); Melinda Baxter (children: Robert Frangi (Erica), Madeline Frangi (Graeme); and Brookley Baxter Sneed (husband: Alan). She had two great grandchildren, Lily and Jack. Nancy and Bob celebrated 69 years together in December 2021, always an enviable model for lives lived well together.

She was a lifelong member of the Junior League of Indianapolis, past member of Woodstock Club, and Lake Maxinkuckee Yacht Club. Nancy was an active volunteer in her children’s schools, including Girl Scout Leader. Her creativity and passion for art led her to become a docent for the Indianapolis Museum of Art, leading tours of the museum as well as teaching classes of school children. She worked for over 20 years at The Depot for Ladies, Broad Ripple, as Assistant Manager until retirement. Nancy was an avid tap dancer, practiced yoga and enjoyed many travels to Europe with her husband.

Nancy is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Dickey Callender Herman; father, Leonard C. Callender; step-father, Clemens W. Herman; brother, Leonard D. Callender; step-brother, William C. Herman; and step-brother, Donald Allen Herman.

There will be a private family service at Crown Hill Cemetary. You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you can share a memory of Nancy or arrange a memorial contributions to Riley Children’s Foundation or a charity of choice.