Martha Woods Van Winkle

Martha Jean Van Winkle, 97, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away in her sleep on June 5th in the comfort of her home after a long, fulfilling life.

Born in 1928, Martha went on to attend Butler University, working her way through college, and was a proud member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. After, she entered a two-year program in medical records and eventually became the head of medical records at Indianapolis General Hospital, later known as the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, before setting out on her own to consult for the industry.

Martha eventually started a new role as the founder and proprietor of Abigail’s in 1968, a women’s dress store in Broad Ripple. She later expanded the store with locations in the Eastgate Mall, on Pendleton Pike Road, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and eventually in the Fashion Mall. From prom dresses to wedding gowns, these stores served many in the region and thrived for over 40 years.

During her time at Abigail’s, she and her husband Robert—better known as Bob—also purchased the sports retail store Fourplay simply because Martha discovered he was unhappy with his current job. They supplied much of the skis, jackets, and boots in greater Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Nashville. Throughout this time, she also ran a separate women’s dress store, Martha’s, at the Glendale mall. They started a true retail family by hard work, long hours, and a business-savvy attitude that got Martha what she wanted more often than not.

She always pushed her two sons, Greg and Kurt, to do better in life, education, work and fatherhood. No gap years allowed. Until her grandchildren came along, of course.

Martha and Bob had plenty of other interests outside of work. They loved to golf at Highland Golf and Country Club. They prioritized travel with their sons. Even when Bob fell ill on a family trip in Europe and had to return home, Martha persevered. She hauled her two kids through the continent by herself, driving up and down, eventually discovering her parking brake had been on the whole time.

In 1973 they built a home on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. Martha was very proud of the house and loved spending time there with family and friends.They kept the house until 1990, at which time they built a house and settled on Geist Reservoir, where their children and grandchildren could visit, ride on the boat, and experience leisurely lake time.

But her passion for medical patients and those in need never faded. She spent much of her life as a supporter and member of the Sunnyside Guild, a philanthropic organization that supports medical programs for extremely ill patients. This dedication also extended to animals, and she was a major donor to shelters and rescue organizations across Indianapolis.

Simply put, Martha was far ahead of her time. Pioneering businesswoman. Proud mother. Doting grandmother. She did it all.

Martha was preceded by her father, Ralph, her mother, Roxana, and her husband, Robert.

Leaving an enduring legacy, she is survived by her sons, Greg (m. Terri), Kurt (m. Ellie), and her grandchildren, John (m. Gabby), Trent (m. Quinn), David (m. Carly), Will, Caitlin, and Caroline. Martha and her family would also like to thank those who helped her through the later stages of life: Beverly, Candice, Dawne, Erin, and Sandra. You were always bright lights in her last days.

A private burial was held. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 19th, at Highland Golf and Country Club beginning at 5:30pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Hamilton County.