Margaret Ann (Sam) Kelso

Margaret Ann (Sam) Kelso, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 14, 2026, two days before her 90th birthday. She lived a remarkable and active life full of career, travel, family, and friends.

Margaret was born in Brown County, Indiana, to Earl and Georgia (Myers) Kelso on March 16, 1936 and was the third of 5 children.

After graduating from Helmsburg High School in 1954, Sam worked in various clerical positions before becoming the assistant to Marion County Judge James Payne. This led to a long career in the Juvenile Courts system, during which she put herself through college at the IUPUI campus of Indiana University. Many years later, she confessed that going back to school after more than 20 years, being surrounded by younger students, most of whom were full-timers, and having to study while working full-time was the hardest thing she ever did. However, she persevered, earning her Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1977, followed by her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1980, becoming the first member of her family to graduate from college.

Obtaining these degrees helped her to advance further within the Juvenile Courts system, where she eventually became the chief administrator of the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, the position she retired from in 2002. She took great pride in caring for the children and staff at the Juvenile Center, always choosing to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas days to allow other staff to take those days off.

Sam enjoyed travel and the outdoors. She was active in the Indianapolis Ski Club for many years, including serving as its president and leading ski trips to the Rockies and the Alps. In addition to her many visits to National Parks, Sam considered a trip to Hong Kong one of the highlights of her travels.

She found another calling at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, where her record tenure of 25 years as a volunteer was recognized with a special award in 2018.

Even while pursuing her career, volunteer work, and travel, Sam stayed closely involved with the lives of family members and friends. Sam’s laughter, determination (some might say “stubbornness”), and love will be remembered and deeply missed.

Sam was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Dale Kelso, Paul Kelso, Esther Verdier and Russell Kelso. She is survived by her sister-in-law Nancy Kelso and nieces and nephews Roger Kelso, Bruce Kelso, Kevin Kelso, Kristi Kelso Kissick, Kurt Kelso, Amy Kelso Couch, Emily Kelso Sichting and Elizabeth Kelso; as well as her great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Sam will take place Saturday, April 25th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Flanner Buchanan Broad Ripple.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.