Marie Sylvia Preda Black

Marie Sylvia Preda Black, widow of Alexander Black, passed on June 3, 2018 watching the Chicago Cubs and surrounded by her children. She joined her husband, two children, and many more family members in heaven.

Marie was born in Indianapolis on May 18, 1921 to Joseph and Rachel (Cuzerian) Preda who immigrated to the United States from Romania.

She was married to her one and only love Alexander Black on May 5, 1944 until his death on February 22, 1973. Together they had five children. Earl, Joe, Charles, Mary Ann, and Karen.

She graduated from Ben Davis High School in 1939 but had no aspirations to further her formal education because she wanted to start working! Marie loved to work and until her dying day said she wished she still worked! She loved being with people. As she and Alex grew their family, she worked at Allison Transmission, RCA, and Eli Lilly. Later, she worked at several places including the cafeteria at Decatur Central while Mary Ann and Karen were in grade school.  Then she worked at Creative Packaging before returning to Eli Lilly where everyone called her Mom. She retired from ‘Big Lilly’ as she called it in 1992 after 25 years of service.

She is survived by her children Earl, Joe, and Karen; her favorite daughter-in-law Mary Anne; two grandchildren, Beth Spoonmore (Ryan), Brett Black (Claire); and four great grandchildren, Moses and Ingrid Black, and Harper and Lincoln Spoonmore. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Victoria Hayse, Jean Black, and Maxine Preda. There are many nieces and nephews who she loved who also survive.

Many of her children’s friends were like her children too, especially Wynoka Lewis, Anita Bechtel (Anita-Pooh), Michael Sullivan (Sully), and Laura Tsareff. Through the years she befriended many others and held them close, including Rick Charles. She loved them all!

She is preceded in death by her husband Alex, infant son Charles, and daughter Mary Ann as well as her parents and brothers Earl, John, and Joseph Preda, and sister Eleanor Licht. She was able to endure the heartache of these losses through her personal strength and trust in God.

She enjoyed watching sports, and frequently told us about her days playing basketball where she never passed the ball but rather always shot it. Thus her favorite advice to anyone holding the basketball: ‘Shoot that Ball!’

She was loved by all who knew her for her kindness and forgiving nature. She was always there for everyone and gave willingly and without expectations. She lived the true meaning of unconditional love.

You will be missed Mamaw!!

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 6, 2018 from 6 to 8 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Floral Park.  Services will be Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 11 am at Flanner Buchanan-Floral Park.  Burial will follow at Floral Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Marie’s name may be made to Mars Hill Free Methodist Church (2654 South Lockburn Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241) where she was a lifelong member.