Mary Ann Beaty

Mary Ann Beaty of Boggstown, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones. She was 91. Mary Ann, a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, civic volunteer, church leader, and cofounder of Beaty Construction, went home to meet the God who loved her without measure.

Mary Ann was born on November 2, 1933, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to William and Joan Gemlo West. Mary Ann lost her mother when she was only three years old, but gained another loving mother when William subsequently married Ann Porter.

Mary Ann is survived by Leon Beaty, her husband of 65 years; her children Jeff Beaty and wife Donna, Daniel Beaty and wife Chris, Dana Sherwood and husband Bill, and LeAnne Zentz and husband Randy; her grandchildren Kyle Beaty and wife Julia, Jacob Beaty and wife Whitney, Anna Comstock and husband Anthony, Megan Beaty, Nicole Beaty, Mya Beaty, Caroline Beaty, Zachary Sherwood and husband Scott Ahlborn, Jared Sherwood, Sarah Zentz, Lauren Zentz and Abigail Zentz; her great-grandchildren Cohen and Reece Comstock and Sloane Beaty; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Gordon West of Stuart, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert West.

Mary Ann graduated from Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis in 1951 and worked at an insurance company and law firm for several years, where she no doubt organized the office and balanced the books impeccably. In 1958, Mary Ann met Leon Parker Beaty on a blind date, and Leon, being no fool, proposed to her soon after. The two married on July 18, 1959.

Mary Ann and Leon co-founded Beaty Construction in 1965. In those early days, Leon built roads and bridges, and Mary Ann maintained the company books in their home office. Mary Ann went on to raise the couple’s four children while simultaneously achieving her much-earned status as the (un)official Chairwoman of the Board at Beaty Construction, which is located next door to Mary Ann and Leon’s home in Boggstown. Beaty employees may have been intimidated by Leon, but they knew they were really in trouble if they saw Mary Ann picking up trash in the yard or were caught passing Leon a casual cigarette.

Mary Ann was a dedicated member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Shelbyville, Indiana, where she served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, deaconess, and Treasurer. She also volunteered her time by taking cancer patients to their treatments and serving on the board of SCUFFY. Mary Ann was a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader, as well as a room parent for most of her kids’ classrooms, where she demonstrated to many that she was exceedingly kind and fair. She was also a pretty strict disciplinarian when necessary and could corral even the most wayward child with her unique mixture of love and calm strength. Mary Ann was very well spoken, and her insistence on using proper grammar and etiquette resulted in many (much-needed) corrections to stories told and papers written by her kids and grandkids. She was also known to write devastatingly pointed letters when (justifiably) angered, which undoubtedly left lasting impressions on their recipients. Mary Ann’s children and grandchildren certainly remember the many lessons she taught them. She was a magnificent teller of stories, champion of the underdog and underserved, and savior of many lost and abandoned puppies, kittens and people.

Mary Ann was an excellent bowler and may have occasionally brought her young grandchildren along to a smoke-filled bowling alley or two. She was also, among countless other roles, the official pre-school picker-upper, reader of many books, fount of happiness, wiper of tears and bottoms, and a reliable source of comfort and joy for her twelve grandchildren. She was the best wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother to her family and will be missed dearly by everyone who was lucky enough to know her.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Tuesday, February 25 from 4:00-8:00 PM at First Christian Church, 118 W. Washington Street, Shelbyville, Indiana. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 26 at 10:00 AM, followed by a remembrance service at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Ralph Botte and Rev. Beth Crouch officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Services entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 118 W. Washington Street, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.

A special thank you to Mary Ann’s dedicated medical team and home caregivers and friends Ronda, Kelly, Jennifer, Angela, and Linda – who loved her and learned that she took her often-bitter medicine much better with a bit of chocolate and a hug. Which is a lesson for all of us.

Online condolences may be shared with Mary Ann’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.