Patricia W. Reel

Patricia Reel passed away at her home the evening of April 14, 2023 after a short battle with brain cancer. Patty was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, and friend.

Born February 26, 1948, in Indianapolis, Patty attended Broad Ripple High School. She earned her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Special Education from Butler University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Following graduation, she devoted herself to lovingly teach special education for nine years.

Patty married Leonard Reel III (Rick) in 1977 and became a full-time mother with the birth of their first daughter Katy. Their family was completed with a son Leonard IV (Lenny) and daughter Amy. Patty joyfully raised her three children while she was an active member of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. She sang in the choir, served as a deacon, elder, and parish visitor to the congregation’s elderly. When her own children were older, Patty worked for Indiana Youth Advocate Program to support children living in foster care.

The first thing those who knew her would say about Patty is that she was kind, warm, and caring. She had a beautiful, cheerful, gentle spirit that made those around her feel seen and loved. Patty was humble and selfless, always giving more than she took. She was a great friend, devoted wife, amazing mother, caring daughter, and faithful sister. One of her greatest joys in life was being a grandmother.

Patty was very creative. She loved to draw, sing, play piano, and write. She recently authored Tell Them What You Know to share the story of her daughter Katy’s life, faith, and early passing from the same cancer. Her creativity was inspired by nature and her relationship with God. She had a vital and trusting relationship with Jesus whom she experienced through His creation. Patty enjoyed simple things like flowers and walks in the woods. In the end, Patty was ready to go home to be reunited with her beloved Katy and welcomed by her Savior.

Patty is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Rick Reel, son Lenny Reel (Gricelda), daughter Amy Martin (Omar), 101-year-old mother Josephine Wright, sister Judy Baker (Boyd), brother-in-law Donald Pinnick, and three beautiful grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Katy Reel, sister Nancy Pinnick, and father James Wright.

Patty’s viewing will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Flanner Buchanan Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis from 3-5p.m. The funeral service will be held on Friday, April 21, at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 418 E. 34th Street, Indianapolis, at 11a.m. The burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery 700 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, following the service. Memorial Gifts may be made to Katy’s Kids Preschool at Neighborhood Ministries, 1918 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85009, or online at nmphx.com.