Janet Lee "Boots" Mcgarvey

Janet Lee “Boots” McGarvey

Boots McGarvey was born to Hilda (Baumann) Prentice and Richard Prentice January 13, 1938 in Batesville, IN, the youngest of five children.  A loving nun/nurse at the hospital called newborns “Bootsie-Boo”…and for our dear Boots, it stuck for a lifetime.

Boots graduated from Batesville High School and was president of her high school senior class.  She then attended and graduated from Indiana University.  At IU, Boots was a proud and happy member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.  She formed many wonderful friendships at IU and especially in the Kappa house which lasted her entire life.

As a young lady, Boots was a devoted elementary school teacher. Those teaching years were quite memorable for Boots and she would frequently reminisce about her young students.  She always loved being around children.  She was an active member of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Guild.

Boots was happily married to Dr. Bill McGarvey for 43 years.  She was a wonderful and exemplary mother to her two children, Erika Kramer and Dr. Kevin McGarvey.

She had a prolonged and difficult encounter with Alzheimer’s her last eight years on this earth.  She bravely fought this disease.  The family wishes to thank Community Hospital Hospice and Sunrise Assisted Living caregivers (Folaka and Debbie Carter) for their devoted care.

Boots was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.  She is survived by her husband, son Kevin (Morgan), daughter Erika, two beautiful grandchildren Rowan and Mae, two sisters, multiple nieces and nephews, niece Tess Duffner, many friends and her beloved Boxer dog Bella.

Family and friends are invited to gather from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday, January 20 at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel.  A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Sunday, January 21 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Carmel, with a reception to follow in the church parish hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.