Mary Lynn Wood Lareau

 

Mary Lynn Wood Lareau, age 91, died September 26, 2023. She was born on April 30,1932 in Knightstown, Indiana to the late Lynn and Margaret Wood. She had two brothers, Bill (Betty), deceased and John (Mary, deceased), who survives.

While in high school she was active in choir, plays, clubs and the National Honor Society. Between her junior and senior year she was elected Secretary of State at Girls State in Bloomington. She graduated first in her class and received two scholarships to Franklin College in 1950.

While at Franklin College, Mary Lynn, “Lynn,” was in the Concert Choir, a small vocal group called The Blue Notes, various campus clubs, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, in which she held several offices, and was also Society Editor of the campus newspaper. She was inducted into several honor societies, including Gold Quill, Scholastics, Theta Alpha Phi, drama, Theta Sigma Phi, journalism, Phi Alpha Theta and history. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in education in 1954.

She began her teaching career at Jackson Central High School at what is now Hamilton Heights High School. She attended Butler University in pursuit of a second degree where she met Dale Lareau. They were married in 1955 and moved to Indianapolis. They had two children, Douglas (Sandra), Denise (Tim Stevens), and grandchildren Megan (Sergio Montanti) and Zachary (Danielle,), and great-grandchildren Jacquline, Molly, Emma, Jade and Hunter.

After receiving her Masters degree from Butler University she taught English and P.E. at I.P.S. schools #71 and #59 and elementary P.E. at #105. She coached basketball, volleyball, softball, track and cheerleading at #59 and never had a losing season. She was also a volleyball official for 15 years. Upon retirement, she was a substitute teacher for Hamilton Southeastern Schools and junior high volleyball official for nine years.

She enjoyed gardening, jigsaw puzzles, books, golf (had a hole-in-one!), euchre, bridge and her friends and family.

Services will be held October 7, at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Flanner and Buchanan, 9700 Allisonville Road in Fishers. Visitation will be from 11:00 – 1:00, with funeral and graveside services to follow.