Ann D. Emhardt

Lucy Ann DeVaney Emhardt passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, July 21, 2017. Ann was the daughter of Ray and Alice DeVaney. A fourth generation Hoosier, she entered this world on February 25, 1932. She graduated from Shortridge High School in 1950 and Wellesley College in 1954. She met her husband of 60 years, Charles David, in Boston her senior year. They were married at the Harvard Memorial Chapel on November 12, 1954. After Dave graduated from law school, the couple moved to Washington D.C. where their first son, Dr. John David Emhardt, was born. The young family then moved back to Indianapolis where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Ann and Dave were the proud parents of five children, Dr. John D. Emhardt (Joanie), Mrs. Carol Settles (Jim), Mr. Frederick D. Emhardt (Cynthia), Ms. Martha Emhardt, and Mrs. Lucy Ramsey (Dr. Drew). And they were the proud grandparents of 14 grandchildren, Dr. John R. Emhardt, Ian Smith, Andrew Emhardt (Allison), Mrs. Katie Clark (Dr. Matt), Matthew Pardue, Eli Pardue, Dr. Elizabeth Emhardt (Mr. Kevin Lynch), Caroline Emhardt, Charlie Emhardt, Will Emhardt, Shannon Settles, Sarah Settles, Greta Ramsey, and Forrest Ramsey.

Ann was a tireless volunteer and cheerleader for her children. She was president of the Spring Mill School PTA and helped organize the Fun Festival and the Pancake Fair. She was active in the Wellesley Club and helped to bring Keen Kutters ice skating Saturdays to the State Fair Coliseum. She ran a Girl Scout troop that met in her basement and sold loads of Girl Scout cookies and took dozens of nature walks. She was a lifelong member of First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church and was an elder there. She served on the board of directors of the Suemma Coleman Home on the south side and the Vivian Smith House, which was located close to her church.

When her youngest daughter Lucy started grade school, Ann went back to school herself at IU Indianapolis law school, where she graduated in 1983. She worked as a lawyer in Indianapolis over the next 25 years, focusing on helping individuals who could not afford to hire their own lawyers. She worked as a guardian ad litem and served on a Marion County lawyer panel to assist the unrepresented in divorces. She co-counseled a personal injury jury trial with her son Fred.

In her later years, she fielded calls from family and friends in her matriarch’s blue chair overlooking the lake, giving sage advice with a smile and comforting all who came to visit. She got to know all of her 14 grandchildren, celebrated their college and graduate school graduations, mingled at three of their weddings, and powered forward to cuddle and talk with her first great grandchild, Lawson, the son of Katie and Matt.

Ann’s family wishes to thank Alliance Home Health Care and all the caregivers that helped her move peacefully to heaven, and Susan Ferrand, who has given tireless assistance to Ann as her health faltered.

Services will be held at First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, 4701 Central Avenue, on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Calling will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m., with the service immediately following.