Louise Margaret Gaynor

Louise Margaret (Manny) Gaynor, daughter of Arnold and Margaret (Robert) Manny, left her earthly confinement on December 17th surrounded by her five loving sons at Hooverwood Living in Indianapolis. She was 84 years old.

 Lou, as she highly preferred to be called, was the lone living child of Arnold and Margaret and debuted in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 17, 1940. In her youth, her family frequently moved to follow her father’s work, which included making stops in Arizona, Washington, North Carolina, and Iowa -with the small town of Jesup, Iowa being a source of her fondest childhood memories- before settling in Indianapolis where Lou was the valedictorian of the 1958 Southport High School class. Lou then enrolled at Marian College where, after thoroughly fatiguing the Dean’s List with her constant inclusion and being named to the Delta Epsilon Sigma honor society for high academic achievement, she earned a BS degree in Biology and Medical Technology. 

 After graduation, the reserved and scholarly Lou worked as a laboratory tech at St. Vincent’s hospital before, in a classic case of opposites attracting, she wed Michael Gaynor, known in some circles as “Mr. West Side”, on February 1, 1964. In the ensuing years, Lou tirelessly fed, clothed, transported, tutored, nursed, encouraged, guided, supported, and mostly tolerated the shenanigans of five sons who will dearly miss her. Lou loved animals, especially dogs and birds, and was a member of the Audubon Society. Some of her favorite pastimes included fishing, bird watching, playing cards and games, and collecting stamps. In her younger days, in what little time she had beyond raising a family, she was also known to occasionally sneak in a play of her accordion or piano. A devout Catholic and longtime member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic church, she was formerly a church choir member. Lou also routinely donated to various charities and organizations that are too numerous to mention. After having spent her life unselfishly devoting her time, talent, and treasure to family, friends, and church, may she rest in the peace that she so overwhelmingly deserved. 

 Lou was preceded in death by her parents, a younger sister Carole Jean who died in infancy, a half-sister Joureen (Manny) Peters, and her husband Michael. Lou is survived by her sons Casey (Becky), Grady J. (Robin), Coley G. (Kristi), Duffy (Brittany), and Toby. Lou had 16 grandchildren Atley (Jordan) Jaggers, Autry, Aivry, Grady M., Gabriel (Grace), Grant (Abby), Gregory (Hannah), Gustin, Greta, Karsyn, Coley M., Kenzington, Kennedy, Easton, Ava, and Emersen. Lou leaves behind 1 great grandson, Archer.

 A visitation will be held on Monday, December 30th from 5-8 PM at the Flanner and Buchanan Washington Park North location at 2706 Kessler Blvd West Dr., Indianapolis, 46220. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM the following day on Tuesday, December 31st at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at 3354 W. 30th Street, Indianapolis, 46222. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.