Mary Alter

Mary Louise Alter, 90 passed away on September 17, 2015. Mary Louise was born March 25, 1925 to John H. & Bernadetta Murphy Alter. She was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, except for ten months that she resided in the novitiate of the sisters of the Cenacle in New York. She attended PS 43, Our Lady of Lourdes Grade School and T.C. Howe High School. She received her B.S, Degree from Marian College in 1947 and a M.S. from Butler. She loved her lifelong work as a Microbiologist with expertise in Medical Microbiology, Bacteriology and Serology. She worked over 30 years for the State Board of Health Laboratories, Dow Chemical Pathology Research Labs. She also taught at St. Christopher Catholic School, as well as substitute taught there. Louise was a devote Catholic and taught CCD and was a member of the Legion of Mary. She was also an instigator in the starting of Fatima Retreat House. She faithfully cared for her aged parents until their deaths. She was the younger sister of Viola Douglass and Beatrice Marsh who preceded her in death. She is survived by several nieces: Beatrice L. Todd Mercer, Gay Pedigo, Jeanne Stahl, Viola L. Polley, Rebecca Chaney, Constance Brown, Grandniece Holliday (Moore)Past and Niece-in-Law Cathy Marsh, widow of her nephew, James C. Marsh Jr. Louise was preceded in death by her infant brother, her beloved grandmother, Bridget (nee:Glennon) Murphy and a niece, Jill Moore. Services are being handled by Flanner & Buchanan Mortuary in Broad Ripple. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Christ the King Catholic Church, her parish since 1971, Wednesday Sept. 23, 2015. Viewing will begin at 10 a.m., with Mass following at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery following the Mass. Online condolences may be made at www.flannerbuchanan.com.