Dorothy Claire Ensign

Dorothy Claire Parmelee Ensign, of Fishers, IN, exchanged her earthly life for a heavenly one on Feb. 1, 2022. She was born on Nov. 21, 1931 and was the daughter of Albert O. Parmelee and Helen (Shaw) Parmelee of Eden, New York.

Dorothy graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, majoring in Home Economics, with concentrations in nutrition and child development. She married her high school sweetheart, W.A. "Bill" Ensign in 1954. The Ensigns made their home first in Schenectady, NY, then Wheaton, IL, and finally residing in Carmel, IN. Bill and Dorothy had six children and were married until his death in 2017.

Dorothy loved her Disciples Bible Class and was an accomplished singer who sang in church choirs for most of her life. She was a certified Master Gardener and took pride in her beautiful gardens. She was a Charter Member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church and enjoyed her memberships in the Hamilton County Home Economist Guild, as well as her Alpha Chi Omega and Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Chapters. Dorothy was also passionate about nutrition and physical health. A five-time cancer survivor, Dorothy was on track to live to age 100 until a traumatic brain injury changed that trajectory.

She is survived by her children, Terry Ensign, James (Hettie) Ensign, Cynthia (Steven) Baney, Deborah (Jeffery) Sparks and Blake Ensign. Dorothy is additionally survived by the eight grandchildren in whom she delighted; Jonathan, Lauren and Claire Baney, Kayla, Andrew and Christopher Ensign, Jackson and Joseph Sparks as well as her brother, Byrd (Alice) Parmelee and four nieces and one nephew. In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her son, Mark Willis Ensign and brother, James Parmelee.

The Ensign family is especially grateful for Dorothy's devoted friend and caretaker, Verna Kennedy.

Visitation for Dorothy Ensign will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 4780 E 126th St, Carmel, IN 46033 on Feb. 19th from 1:00-3:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at a later date at Wheaton Cemetery.

Dorothy's passion for understanding the human body compelled her to first loan her body to the IU School of Medicine to equip doctors in their study of the benefits of nutritional sciences. Those who wish to remember Dorothy in a special way may make gifts to in her memory to Indiana Donor Network, 3750 Guion Rd, Indianapolis IN 46222. Or to Brightwood Ministries at www.ednamartincc.org.