Joann Aleece Morris

JoAnn Morris, 85, died peacefully on Sunday, July 29, 2018 surrounded by her children. She had been in declining health over the past months and was cared for at home by her devoted and loving daughter, Patrice Morris.

The daughter of Kansas wheat farmers Leonard G. and Leveta M. (Brittian) Mortimer, JoAnn was born October 10, 1932, the fourth of six children. She was pre-deceased by her parents and her brothers Jack and Keith Mortimer. She is survived by two sisters Joyce (Bernard) Tencleve of Mayfield, KS, and Doris Wedge of Norman, OK, and a brother Dan (A’Donna) Mortimer of Carthage, MO. JoAnn and her family had gathered in July for a family reunion in Mayfield which brought her great joy.

JoAnn graduated with her older brother and sister from Milan (KS) High School at the age of 16. She moved to nearby Wichita to be trained as an office assistant. While working and living with her sister Joyce and her aunt Alberta Cook, she was introduced to Joseph F. Morris of Indianapolis, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame who was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. In 1953, she converted to Roman Catholicism, which became the bedrock of her life, and married Joe. They welcomed their first child, Kevin, in 1955 while they were stationed at Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, an overseas experience she would treasure her entire life. Her husband Joe passed away in 1999.

The rock of a large and loving family of six children, JoAnn considered parenthood her highest calling. She expected much of her children and gave much in return. Raised in the Depression, she taught each child to be thrifty, hardworking, honest and compassionate toward those in need, just as she had been taught by her parents. She was a strong role model in humility, faith, charity and service throughout her life devoting time and effort to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Indianapolis, the St. Vincent dePaul Society and as a poll worker for the Marion County Democratic Party. She supported many organizations devoted to hunger, Native Americans, immigrants and the less fortunate.

Her daily ritual began with the IndyStar—she was an informed and engaged citizen devoted to social justice. She was extremely well-read and well-informed, relying heavily on the atlas to identify the location of any place she did not know. A master of the domestic arts, JoAnn was known for her green thumb which resulted in a beautiful yard and flower beds at every home she and Joe owned. Her knowledge and skills in the kitchen were developed as a child on the farm; she could produce big and delicious meals with dependable regularity. She often expressed her gratitude to friends and neighbors with her signature banana bread and platters of homemade cookies at Christmas.

When her youngest child Michael started school, JoAnn returned to the workplace where her work ethic, integrity and customer service was admired by colleagues and customers as much as her conversational nature and sense of humor. She served the family-owned Atlas Office Supply, Co. for decades until it was purchased by Boise Cascade where she adapted her skills to a new, corporate environment. She retired in 2000.

Left to mourn her are six children, Rev. Kevin Morris of Richmond, Laure Morris (Stephen Taksar) of Longmeadow, MA, Angela (Jaye) Jump, Terri Morris (Tim) Downs, Patrice Morris and Michael (Toni) Morris all of Indianapolis, ten grandchildren Katie (Keegan) McCamment of Greensburg, Patrick Kraft of Boston, MA, Joanna Grace and Caroline Downs, Brooklyn Bowling, Claire, Emma and Anthony Joseph “AJ” Morris of Indianapolis, Samuel and Eli Taksar of Longmeadow, MA, and two great-grandchildren, Nolan and Nora McCamment. She was pre-deceased by her daughter-in-law Carol Bixler Morris.

Visitation for JoAnn Morris will be held on Friday, August 3, 4-8PM at Flanner-Buchanan Memorial Park with a vigil service immediately following. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 East 10^th Street, on Saturday, August 4, at 11AM with additional visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Vincent DePaul Society, 3001 E. 30^th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218, or to Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Friends and family are invited to leave online memories and condolences for the family at www.flannerbuchanan.com.