Mary Louise Henderson

Mary Louise Henderson (Mary Lou). Mary Lou was a devoted wife, mother, Mamaw, and great grandmother. Mary Lou, age 97, passed away peacefully at home of natural causes on September 27, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born in Columbus, Indiana on August 4, 1927. 

Mary Lou attended Columbus High School when she met her future husband, Gene Henderson. While in high school she worked in a dress shop before graduating in 1941. She worked in the high school principal’s office and later at Arvin Industries. After World War II Mary Lou and Gene were married and attended Franklin College. After Franklin the couple went to Boston where Gene attended Harvard Law school and Mary Lou worked at the law school to support them during that time. 

Mary Lou will always be remembered for her kindness and her loving nature. She had the ability to see the absolute best in every person she met and helped them become happier and better people. She was especially devoted and supportive to her family. Mary Lou created a warm inviting home where all were welcome. She was a modest person who didn’t like to draw attention to herself but was delighted when others she loved received attention and accolades. Her highest calling in this life was her desire to be a good wife, Mother and Mamaw. Mary Lou and Gene built a beautiful life together during their 75-year marriage. 

With her husband Gene, she loved collecting fine art and beautiful pottery, only at reasonable prices of course. She spent her time attending events that her family was participating in or taking care of her beautiful old house, inside and out. You could routinely see her outside up on a ladder trimming a tree or inside cleaning everything. Because she grew up in the Great Depression, she kept and tried to reuse everything, perhaps inventing “Greening”. Although she was no pushover, she rarely said no to her children and if you heard her say “I don’t mean maybe”, that was code for Mom is really mad. 

Mary Lou is survived by her beloved daughter Carrie Henderson (Jack Beatty); Daughter in Law Jeannie Henderson; her grandchildren Christy Walkup (Pat McCarney); Mike Walkup; Dr. Joe Henderson (Sara); Paul Henderson (Maren); Jacob Beatty (Emily Nielsen); Brooke Beatty (Tim Callahan); Matt Walkup (Stephanie); her great grandchildren Cerys and Eve Beatty; Tyler and Nic Walkup; Mary Lou McCarney; Sami, Amos and Ian Henderson, Otto and Auggie Henderson.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband Gene Henderson, son’s Andy and Joe Henderson, sister Hester Ann Moore, brother Jack H. Beatty, parent’s Vivian Poland and Homer Beatty.

To celebrate Mary Lou Henderson’s life there will be a private family burial in Columbus, Indiana and a public Celebration of Life event to be held on October 13, 2024, at the White River Yacht Club, 1400 E. 74th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46240, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Firefly, Children and Family Alliance, the organization that facilitated the adoption of Mary Lou and Gene’s three children.