Mary Alice Garrison
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mary Alice Garrison, beloved of family and myriad friends, died on Aug. 30, 2008, at St. Vincent Hospital North, where she received wonderful care from the ICU nursing and medical specialist staff and from the professional staff on the second floor.
She was born in Harrisburg on Oct. 18, 1929, and was the eldest daughter of Lynndon M. and Mary Ann (Hetherington) Hancock. She has two sisters, Martha Ann Culley of Harrisburg and Cynthia Griffiths of Bossier, La., both of whom survive. Other surviving family members in Harrisburg are Aunt Alice Barnes, and cousin Lynda Clemmons.
Growing up in Harrisburg, she graduated from high school and attended Millikin University before matriculating at the University of Illinois, from whence she graduated with an ACES degree with honors. During her undergraduate years, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and is a past president of her chapter at Urbana. Throughout her lifetime, she maintained close, loving friendships with high school and college friends, meeting with them frequently.
She was married on Aug. 5, 1951, to Thomas C. Garrison, her husband of 57 years. He survives. They made their first home in Danville, where her children, Susan L. Kruse of Carmel, Ind. and Thomas H. Garrison of Indianapolis, were born and nurtured. Both Susan and Tom survive and spent many hours with her during her final days, a testament to their love and devotion.
In August 1963, she moved to Indianapolis in support of her husband's insurance career. With the maturation of her children, Mary Alice commenced her career as a volunteer worker with her Second Presbyterian Church home, St. Margaret's Guild, The Indianapolis Retirement Home for Women, and with other not-for-profit organizations. Each benefited greatly from her analytical abilities and insightful leadership skills.
Upon retirement, she and her husband established a sunshine home on Marco Island, Fla., where they entered into a second church life as members of the United Church of Marco Island. She formed fast and lasting relationships there and with others who are in residence on Marco Island at the Summit House Condominium.
In addition to her husband and children, she is survived, admired, and loved by her grandchildren, Jennifer Woodward (who has presented her with two great-grandchildren, Makayla and Dylan) and Katherine Kruse of Carmel, Ind.; and by Molly Garrison of Charlotte, Julianne Garrison of Dallas, and Laura Garrison of Cincinnati. Over the years, Mary Alice spent a good deal of time with Richard Kruse, husband of Susan, and was devoted to him. In August 2004, Tom married Mary Jo Murdoch, who was warmly embraced and welcomed into the family.
Family and friends are invited to visit in the parlor of Second Presbyterian Church on Friday, Sept. 12 between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m. On the following day, Saturday, Sept. 13 commencing at 11 a.m., a memorial service, celebrating her life, will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, in the Sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Joan Malick Scholarship Fund, Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46260 or to the Endowment Fund, United Church of Marco Island, 320 North Barfield Drive, Marco Island, Fla. 34145.