Mary Jane Render

Mary Jane Render, of Indianapolis, beloved mother, grandmother, cousin, sorority sister, and friend, departed this life on March 18, 2025, at the age of 81. Mary Jane was a beautiful, loving, resilient person who smiled through adversity and lit up every room that she entered. This world is so much the poorer for her absence, and she is profoundly missed. Mary Jane was born June 24, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late Floyd and Dorothea (Rogers) Allison. She attended Scecina Memorial High School and graduated from Greensburg High School in 1961, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad. She received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Butler University in 1965, where she was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Mary Jane went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Education and she was a kindergarten teacher at IPS School Number 66 for many years. Mary Jane had an active, agile mind and an amazing memory for people and events. She made friends easily with her good humor, quick wit, and warm smile. She was a loyal friend and an excellent correspondent, never failing to send cards and notes to friends and family for every occasion. She treasured her friendships, especially with her Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters with whom she has remained close for over sixty years. In her younger years, Mary Jane was an accomplished musician with a lovely singing voice. She recalled fondly being a soloist for midnight mass, singing “O Holy Night.” She enjoyed playing the piano and the guitar and she was also a talented visual artist creating many wonderful paintings and drawings. In her later years, Mary Jane had many interests and passions, including reading, fashion and shopping, bingo, and epicurean interests. She was an enthusiastic sports fan, and she particularly loved the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers. She spent her last evening on Earth happily watching her Pacers defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mary Jane was a devoted Catholic and longtime member of Little Flower Catholic Church. Mary Jane was dealt many challenges in her lifetime, but she faced those challenges with a courage, tenacity, and optimism that most of us cannot imagine. Her strength, adaptability, and unsinkable sanguinity in the face of hardships that would have toppled most other people is a model for all of us to emulate. Her life was a master class in resiliency. By far the greatest joy of Mary Jane’s life was her two daughters and her two grandsons, about whom she would delightedly speak to anyone she met. We are bereft without her. Visitation for Mary Jane will be Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 East Washington Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 East 13th Street with a luncheon to follow. Mary Jane is survived by her daughters, Allison “Allie” Porter (Jason) and Meredith Render (Michael Pardo); grandsons, Benjamin Porter and Nathaniel Render Pardo; her cousins Sandy Gable, Jeff Gable, Janet Gable Marcum, Joan Gable West, Jeff Gable, and Steve Rogers; her sorority sisters, including Sharon Grimm and Jeanne Williams; and many beloved friends who were as dear as family, including John and Diane Render, Ellen Jenkins, Jean O’Laughlin, and Aimee McArthur. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary Jane Render’s name to Little Flower Catholic Church at the above address or via the following online site: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z4E2/home.

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Mary Jane Render

June 24, 1943 - March 18, 2025