Susan Jane (Wyatt) Gillespie

Susan Jane Wyatt Gillespie joined her heavenly family at 1:14 a.m. on Friday, March 7th, 2025, after a prolonged illness at the age of 69.

Susan was born to Wilmer "Bud" Wyatt and Clara Lou Haines Wyatt on April 14, 1955, at Hancock Memorial Hospital in Greenfield, Indiana. Susan married her husband of over 50 years, Patrick Gillespie, on February 22, 1975. Together, they raised 5 children and countless animals (dogs, cats, horses) residing most of their lives in Danville, Indiana.

Susan loved animals (especially toads), dancing (as a little girl she danced on stage with Liberace at the Starlight), singing, painting/art (oil and watercolor), theater and tormenting her siblings (and parents)! She was creative, outgoing and silly, which brought joy to all who knew her.

After attending college, Susan worked as a graphic artist for Paul Harris. After her marriage, she joined the family business, Gillespie Florists where she continued to work until her retirement in 2015. Susan also was the proud owner of the children's clothing store Oh, Susanna! located in Danville and Avon Indiana in the 1990's. Susan enjoyed working part time at Prestige Portraits in Avon in the 2000's. Susan's favorite career, from which she never retired, was raising her children.

Susan adored the ocean and spent vacation time with her family and friends in Florida and Hawaii. Some of our most treasured family memories were spent riding motorcycles in South Florida and relaxing on the beach.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joseph Wyatt. Left to cherish her memory are her husband and children: Sarah (Tim Dye) Gillespie, Kelly (Cliff) Snyder, Patrick (Wafaa) Gillespie, Della (Jerad) Mendenhall, and James (Camille) Gillespie; grandchildren: Tyler, Clara, Gavin, Owen, Ayoub, Blake, Miral, Alaina and baby boy Gillespie (due any day); siblings: Marc (Karen) Wyatt and Laura (John) Collins; sister-in-law: Patty Wyatt; cousins, nieces, nephews and an uncle.

A visitation for Susan will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Stillinger Family Funeral Home in Greenfield, Indiana. A rosary service will be held at 3:30 p.m., hosted by the Rosary Guild of St. Michael Catholic Church. A time of sharing remembrances will start at 7:15 p.m. Everyone attending the visitation is encouraged to wear bright tropical clothing (Hawaiian shirts are welcome).

A Mass of Christian Burial for Susan will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Greenfield at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, followed by interment at Philadelphia Church Cemetery in Greenfield, Indiana. Attendees are encouraged to wear their "Sunday Best" as we say goodbye to our beloved wife, mom, Nana, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend.

During her time as a director of musical theatre at North Montgomery High School, on the last page of each playbill, Susan included lyrics from the song "The Rainbow Connection" (Jim Henson, Paul Williams, Kenneth Ascher) from 1979 film The Muppet Movie. It seems appropriate that we include those words here, as well:

"Life's like a movie, write your own ending, keep believing, keep pretending, we've done just what we've set out to do! Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers and YOU!"

Memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor/St Augustine Home for the Aged or The Salvation Army.