January 16, 1931 – June 24, 2023
Mary J. Tarter, 92, Westfield, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Harbour Manor in Noblesville. She was born in Detroit, Mich., on January 16, 1931, to John Arthur (a hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings) and Florence (Einberger) Sorrell. Her mother passed away when Mary was 12 years old. Gladys Maxine became Mary’s “second mom” when her dad remarried in 1945.
Mary married A.W. Tarter on May 17, 1975. They were married four short years when he died from cancer. Mary’s life was full of adventure. She managed to survive five years of tuberculosis at Sunnyside Sanitarium and two occurrences of cancer. She loved to travel, which she did with family, but also with her job as executive secretary with Mayflower Warehouse Association for over 30 years. Mary was loved for her kindness, her gift for detail, and organizing Mayflower conferences across the world.
After retirement, Mary started her second job at what is now Indiana Farmers Coliseum where the entire family spent many hours with hockey and ice skating. Everyone who knew Mary always admired her spirit for life. No matter how difficult the trials, she always managed them with grace and humor.
Mary was always involved in volunteering which included National Tuberculosis Association, American Lung Association, and the Juvenile Arthritis Camp. She was also Miss Easter Seal 1959 where she rode with the Indianapolis mayor in the parade. Mary had so many other loves: crafts, writing stories, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, and family vacations. God is eagerly awaiting for her to make Heaven just a little more fun, beautiful, and full of laughter. Mary will be sadly missed.
She is survived by her sister, Sue (Tony) Smith; brother, Don (Becky) Sorrell; as well as multiple nieces and nephews and all of their children. Mary always said we were all her children.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, A.W. Tarter; and her brother, John M. Sorrell.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on July 6, 2023, with Mass at 11 a.m., at St. Pius X Catholic Parish, 7200 Sarto Drive, Indianapolis.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association of Indiana, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1180-South, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (lung.org/about-us/local-associations/indiana.html); or JA Camp, c/o Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077 (arthritis.org/events/ja-camps); or Catholic Charities, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 (archindy.org/cc/indianapolis/index.html).
Condolences: randallroberts.com