Mary Ellen Riddle

Mary Ellen Cooper Riddle, 87, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on June 2, 2025. She was born on October 26, 1937, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to parents Irvin J. Cooper and Mary K. (Kenney) Cooper.

Ellen was a woman of strong Catholic faith; family meant the world to her. She attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic School and St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis. After high school, she attended St. Mary’s in Notre Dame, Indiana, and St. Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana. While growing up in Indiana, she spent many summers at Lake Wawasee, where she became quite an accomplished water skier, competing in water skiing events in the Midwest and Florida.

Ellen and John were married in August 1958. They started their family in 1959 when son Greg was born and went on to bring 4 more kids into this world, all of whom attended St. Matthew School in Indianapolis.

Most of Ellen’s life was spent in Indianapolis, but the family moved to Naperville, Illinois from 1976 to 1980. Ellen completed her college degree while working at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois. She was very proud to earn her college degree and shared her graduation celebration at her son Mike’s high school graduation in 1979.

In 1980, the family moved back to Indiana, and Ellen began a long and rewarding career at her beloved Butler University, where three of her five children (Lisa, Tom, and Scott) graduated. She went on to earn a master's degree at Butler while she also worked in the Computer Center at Butler at the dawn of the computer revolution. She was proud to tell everyone that her computer knowledge came long before her kids ever knew how to use one!

After she retired from Butler, Ellen took her love of flowers and gardening and “un-retired” and went to work at Habig’s Garden Shop in Nora. She became legendary with the young kids who worked at Habig’s for her kind, generous soul. She became a surrogate grandmother to many, always asking customers and co-workers about their lives, where they went to school, and all about their kids. She always had a smile for everyone. She only retired when she could not physically work any longer.

Her last few years were not easy, with back surgery, and then becoming unable to walk. Her greatest joy was socializing, and she often held court bedside or tooling around her beloved Muir Woods, visiting with neighbors. Her physical limitations did not dampen her love of community, with friends and family always wanting to spend time with her.

Ellen is survived by her children, Greg, Mike (Michelle), Lisa Lynch, Tom (Barb); Grandchildren, Patrick Riddle, Cooper (Autumn) Riddle, Alex Riddle, Anna (Will) Penczek, Megan Lynch, Jack Lynch, Tyler (Holly) Riddle, Cassie Riddle and great-granddaughter, Harlow Lee Riddle.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, John L. Riddle; her son, Scott Riddle; her parents; and her brother Bernard K. Cooper.

A Memorial Gathering for Ellen will begin at 10 AM on Friday, June 27, 2025, at St. Pius X Catholic Church - 7200 Sarto Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46240, with a funeral mass immediately following at 11 AM. A light lunch will be served after the Mass, and a Celebration of Life will be held at 5 PM. Address and details will be shared at the Memorial Gathering and Mass. Placement will be private for the family.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to:

Little Sisters of the Poor

littlesistersofthepoorindianapolis.org