Dede B. Commons

Dede Boyd Commons

81, of Zionsville, IN, died on Friday, December 6, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. Dede was born on August 16, 1932, in Indianapolis and graduated from Emmerich Manual High School. She immediately went on to St. Vincent School of Nursing and became a registered nurse in 1953. She met her husband, James E. Commons, after he spotted a "cute blonde" across the way at basketball game which was followed shortly thereafter by their first date at the Indianapolis Athletic Club. The rest was history and the two were married at St. Joan of Arc (Indianapolis) in 1954. After spending their honeymoon in Northern Michigan, the two thereafter enjoyed spending their summers at their cottage on Walloon Lake, Michigan.

Her true passion was nursing and helping others. Not only was Dede a devoted nurse at St. Vincent Hospital for 56 years, but due to her love for every aspect of nursing she served in a variety of leadership roles at St. Vincent's including as hospital-wide nursing supervisor. She truly cherished her role as a nurse and was respected and well-liked by both her colleagues and patients through the years. While raising a family of 5 children with her husband Jim, they were members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish for over 25 years. Yearly family vacations were always sure to include mountain climbing in the Rocky Mountains. Dede had a passion for traveling, with both her family and friends, and called Paris and Manhattan among her favorite destinations.

In addition to being beloved by her family, Dede served on the board for the P.E. MacAllister Awards, and generously volunteered her time with the The Alliance of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Little Sisters of the Poor Ladies' Auxiliary. Dede treasured all the friends in her Oak Park Homemakers Club and Tri Kappa, for which she served as its President. She was described by friends as stylish and lovely, was a dedicated mother, nurse, and friend. She was a doll.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Abe and Floreine Boyd. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 59 years, James E. Commons; five children, Sarah Read, Susie (Tom) McNally, Mimi (Tom) Doherty, Chris (Allie) Commons, and Nancy (Doug) Kelly; thirteen grandchildren, Rosie Read, Ashley Sybesma, Nick Read, Clare (Brandon Evans) Doherty, Cammie (Shawn) Kenne, Ellie Doherty, Peter Doherty, Catie McNally, Jack Kelly, Maura Kelly, Mitchell Commons, Luke Commons, and Darci Commons; two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Liam Kenne; a sister, Russie (Larry) Hendricks; nieces, Amy (Dean) Mathis and Katie (Rick) Johnson; nephew Lindsay Hendricks; and three great-nephews and two great-nieces.

Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, December 10th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Leppert Mortuary Crematory, Nora Chapel , with Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 11th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. You are invited to visit the website http://www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Dede, sign the guest book or in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Dede Commons to Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Augustine Home. Dede's family would especially like to thank St. Vincent Hospital Oncology Unit and St. Vincent Hospice.