Marie L. Pickhardt

Marie Louise (Pfarr) Pickhardt, 103, of Indianapolis, passed away on Christmas, her favorite day of the year. Her family gathered from near and far to surround her with love in her final days and celebrate her life.

Marie was born on May 4, 1916, to the late Charles and Leda (Umversaw) Pfarr in Indianapolis. She graduated from St. John’s Academy and worked as a secretary at an insurance company where they benefited from her expert short-hand skills.

She fell in love and married Oliver Wilcox Pickhardt in 1941. They built a house on the East side of Indianapolis where they spent 48 happy years together and raised two children Marcia (Bowman) and David. Marie lived in the family home for 72 years before moving into assisted living just shy of her 100th birthday.

Marie lived life to the fullest always welcoming family and friends for the holidays and weekly bridge and Rummikub games. She kept her mind sharp with daily crossword puzzles and traveled extensively well into her 80s. She embraced her independence and drove until she was 99.

Marie was a founding member and past president of the Art League of Irvington. They honored her many contributions on her 100th birthday. She was also the Publicity Chair for the Union of Clubs in Irvington. Faith was extremely important to Marie. She was a charter member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church where she was a long-standing member of the church’s quilting group and for many years prepared friendship meals on behalf of fellow parishioners.

She adored her family and is survived by her two children: Marcia and David (Theresa); five grandchildren: Christine (Chris) Edmondson, James (Christa) Bowman, Hallie (Stefan) Zimmers, Matt Pickhardt, and Katie (Jesse) Beaudin; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Oliver, her parents, her sisters: Phyllis Williamson and Joann Armstrong, her son-in-law James Bowman, and so many other family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 27, from 5-8 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park East with a funeral mass at 9:30 am on Saturday, December 28, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 E. Tenth St., Indianapolis. A brief service will follow at Washington Park East Cemetery.