Maribeth Bailey

Maribeth Bailey, 72, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away December 3, 2025, after a long illness. Maribeth was a beloved daughter, mother and friend to many. She was born November 21,1953 in Carmel, Indiana, the only child of Jack C. Bailey and Myra Brown Bailey. 

Her family had deep roots in Carmel where she experienced an idyllic childhood. She attended Orchard Park Elementary School and Carmel High School. After high school she attended Butler University and graduated with a B.S degree in history. While in college she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She remained a member with connections to her sorority sisters that lasted the rest of her life. After graduation she tried her hand at teaching elementary school but soon realized that her true calling was in community activism. Her desire to make the world a better place led her to embark on a career as a community development professional serving at Indiana Landmarks, Big Sisters, Horizon House, John Boner Community Center, and the Indiana Public Health Association. She was also a supporter of Stopover. Maribeth understood the importance of civic engagement and worked the polls at election time, encouraging others to do so as well.

She married Tim J. Harmon in 1982. They had one child, Avraham Bailey Harmon. Tim and Maribeth bought a beautiful historic cottage that needed a lot of love in an old mixed-use neighborhood on the near east side of Indianapolis shortly after they married. They and other neighbors formed the Cottage Home Neighborhood Association in the early 80s. Founding the association and uniting the residents preserved the historic houses and buildings and saved the neighborhood from being destroyed by the city for industrial use and as a corridor for the interstate. The late 19th and early 20th century houses were purchased by free-spirited individuals and families who created one of the most beloved neighborhoods in Indianapolis.

Tim and Maribeth divorced but remained friends and loving co-parents to their son, and both continued involvement in the Cottage Home Neighborhood Association.

Maribeth was beautiful, funny, smart and classy. She loved travel and was particularly fond of Florida, especially Disney World and any location featuring a beach and an art museum. She loved her cats, dining out, a good glass of wine and beautiful things.

Maribeth was a voracious reader. She read feminist authors and especially loved the writings of Gertrude Stein and Anais Nin. She was a lover and collector of art and with Tim Harmon accumulated a fairly large collection of paintings. And to top it off, Maribeth enjoyed watching football with Avi and was a big fan of the Colts.

Maribeth had a beautiful spirit and was loved by those who knew her. She was also fierce in fighting the illness that took her life and robbed her of the ability to care for herself. She did not pity herself, nor did she complain. Instead, she tried her best to be strong, independent and self-directed as long as she could. It was truly a blessing to know her. She will be missed and remembered with love.

She is survived by her son Avraham Bailey Harmon, her aunt Rosalind McCart, her cousin Kevin McCart and wife Marci, Robin McCart and wife Kimberly his children Chris, Bryan, Allison and Matthew, Eric McCart and wife Robin and their daughter Wendy.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, at 11am, at Flanner Buchanan - Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to The ALS Association https://www.als.org, The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation https://indyplfoundation.org , or Indiana Landmarks https://www.indianalandmarks.org

“I see my light come shining 

From the west unto the east 

Any day now, any day now 

I shall be released”

Bob Dylan