Sandra Louise (Doyle) Hamilton

Sandra "Sandy" Louise (Doyle) Hamilton, 88, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, surrounded by her loving children.

Born on December 8, 1937, Sandy grew up in the home her grandfather, Bernard Doyle, built in Tuckahoe, New York. She was the daughter of the late Arthur and Maria (Berg) Doyle. Sandy lost her mother, Maria, at the tender age of eight. Her father later remarried Leshia (Kelly) Doyle in 1951, who helped guide her into adulthood.

Sandy attended grade school at Immaculate Conception Church in Eastchester, New York, the very same parish where she was baptized. A bright and dedicated student, she earned a full scholarship to the University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York. Two weeks after graduating in 1959, she returned to Immaculate Conception Church to marry her beloved husband, James S. Hamilton, beginning a lifetime centered on family and faith.

Sandy dedicated her early adult years to her family. After successfully raising her six children, Sandy started and managed a successful contract drapery business with her husband, Jim, followed by a distinguished career with American United Life (AUL), where her dedication and work ethic earned her numerous awards of achievement and advancement.

A deeply devout woman, Sandy was ever grateful for her faith. She was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and, since 1979, of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Through both parishes, she built a rich community of dear friends and treasured memories. Her life was beautifully enriched by "The Best Set," a close-knit group of friends from Immaculate Heart of Mary who gathered to play neighborhood volleyball every Sunday night for over twenty-five years. Sandy also created lifelong memories with her dearest friends in a group they called "The Pelicans." From their early child-rearing days all the way through to empty nesting, they traveled together, shared endless lunches, hosted parties, and consistently showed up to support one another.

In 2017, Sandy moved to Marquette Manor, where she enjoyed her time immensely. She was delighted to be joined there by many of her volleyball friends and fellow Pelicans. True to her generous spirit, she remained deeply involved in community life, active in the book club, the cornhole team, and Catholic ministry, while also serving as a Board Member.

In retirement, Sandy found her greatest joy in giving back to her community. Incredibly generous with her time and talent, she was always the first to step up and help anyone in need. She volunteered for over a decade with the Catholic Charities Crisis Center of Indianapolis, spent ten years volunteering at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, and faithfully served as a Eucharistic Minister at both St. Matthew and St. Monica Catholic Churches.

Together, Sandy and James shared a life built on family and faith, watching with immense joy as their children graduated from college and married wonderful spouses. The love, support, and exceptionally close relationship shared among her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was truly Sandy’s greatest treasure.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Maria Doyle; her stepmother, Leshia Doyle; her brother, James Doyle; and her husband, James S. Hamilton.

She is survived by her six children, sixteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Her legacy lives on through her son James and his wife, Catherine (Gates), and their sons Andrew (Katie) and daughters Florence and Margaret, and Ryan (Michelle); her daughter Julia and her husband, Marcus Cziesla, and their children Lauren and Christopher; her daughter Jennifer and her husband, William Brady, and their sons William, Patrick (Jennie) and daughter Mary Jane, Michael (Michael), and Jack; her son Jeffrey and his wife, Kimberly (Semler), and their children Patrick (Lauren) and daughters Quinn and Olivia, Molly (Jeb) Burnet and son Alexander, Sister Mary Francis, OSF, and Conner; her daughter Jeanne Margaret and her husband, Clint Hardin, and their daughters Ella and Christina; and her son John and his wife, Angela (Elstner), and their children Collin and Lilly.

Survivors also include her sister-in-law, Adele (Babin) Doyle; her beloved nieces, Sheri Doyle, Denise Doyle, Lori (Doyle) Mohr, Sandra (Doyle) McCullum, Elizabeth (Cahalane) Grimaldi, and Susan (Cahalane) Cicalese; and her nephew, Thomas Cahalane.

The family extends their deepest gratitude for the exceptional and compassionate care Sandy received from the staff of Accent Care Hospice, Senior Companions, Marquette Manor, as well as her dedicated home care team.

Sandy's kindness, unwavering faith, generous spirit, and deep love for her family will continue to inspire all who knew her.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 9:30am - 11am at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 5692 Central Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, with a funeral mass to follow at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to her beloved University of Mount Saint Vincent's annual fund (6301 Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale, NY 10471).