Lisa Lindley

Lisa Lyn Lindley, 57, was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, educator, mentor, breast cancer survivor, and, to so many people fortunate enough to know her, a true ray of sunshine.  She brought joy, happiness, warmth, and love to everyone around her, leaving behind a legacy that will live on in the countless lives she touched.  Above all else, Lisa was a mother.  Her children, Lindley and Gavin, were the light of her life and her greatest joy and pride.  She loved them with her whole heart, and being their mother was the most important role she would ever hold.  For more than 30 years, Lisa devoted her life to education.  She served as a teacher, Vice Principal, and Principal, and she loved being an educator and a leader.  Most recently, she spent two years at St. Susanna Catholic School, serving as Vice Principal.  Lisa loved the teachers she worked alongside.  She encouraged them, supported them, celebrated them, and made sure they knew they were valued.  But as much as she loved education and leadership, her greatest passion was always the children she served.  Lisa believed every child deserved to be seen, encouraged, valued, and loved.  Education was never simply a career to her; it was her calling.  Wherever she served, Lisa became a leader, mentor, friend, and source of encouragement.  She had an extraordinary ability to make people feel that they mattered.  That gift extended far beyond the classroom.  Everyone who knew Lisa seemed to describe her the same way: a ray of sunshine.  She brought happiness and light wherever she went.  She loved recognizing others and had a special way of making people feel appreciated.  A card, a handwritten note, a thoughtful gift, a kind word—Lisa never needed a reason to let someone know how much they meant to her.  She celebrated people.  She encouraged people.  She put others first.  Lisa was also a woman of tremendous courage, strength, grace, and faith.  She was a deeply rooted believer in Jesus Christ and God, and her faith carried her through many trials and tribulations throughout her life.  Among the greatest challenges she faced was breast cancer.  Lisa became not only a survivor, but an advocate, mentor, and source of hope for others walking through their own cancer journeys.  Breast cancer awareness became deeply personal to Lisa, and she was passionate about helping others. On August 28, she attended Pink for Purpose Night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where breast cancer survivors were recognized during the Indiana Fever game.  It was fitting that Lisa spent that evening supporting a cause so close to her heart and celebrating the strength and courage of fellow survivors.  Two women held an especially precious place in Lisa’s heart: her Aunt Dixie and Ginny Johnston.  Lisa lovingly considered them her “second Moms.”  She treasured the love, wisdom, guidance, and countless memories they shared throughout her life.  Their love meant more to Lisa than words could express, and the special bond they shared will forever be a cherished part of her story.  Lisa was the "baby" of her family, one of five siblings, and she proudly claimed her place as the one who was “spoiled rotten”.  And, as her family will readily admit, she was spoiled because they loved doing it.  Being the baby was a role Lisa embraced wholeheartedly, and her family wouldn't have had it any other way.  One of the family's favorite stories perfectly captures the little girl Lisa was—and perhaps the woman she would become.  After a particularly deep Indiana snow, the family discovered five-year-old Lisa outside wearing oversized snow boots, one of her big sisters' coats, and carrying a watering can.  She had ventured out into the snow to carefully water the apple trees.  Apparently, Lisa had decided those apple trees needed her—and no amount of snow was going to stop her from taking care of them.  It is a story her family remembers with a smile, because in some ways it says everything about Lisa.  She was always taking care of someone or something.  She noticed what needed attention, and she did something about it.  She had a heart for nurturing, protecting, encouraging, and loving others from the very beginning.  Lisa was preceded in death by her father, Donald Wayne Lindley; her brother, Michael Wayne Lindley; and her sister, Peggy Lee Bender (Lindley).  She leaves behind her beloved children, Lindley and Gavin; her mother, Annie Laurie Lindley; her sisters, Laurie Serak (Lindley) and Penny Billheimer (Lindley); and countless extended family members, friends, colleagues, former students, teachers, and children whose lives were forever changed simply because Lisa was part of them.  Lisa's favorite flower was the sunflower, and it is fitting that the sunflower represents adoration, loyalty, happiness, and resilience—qualities Lisa embodied so completely.  Like a sunflower that turns toward the light, Lisa spent her life turning toward God, toward the people she loved, and toward the good in others.  She had an extraordinary ability to find joy, give love freely, show grace, and lift others up even through her own difficult seasons.  Lisa would not want those she leaves behind to live only in sadness.  She would want us to choose joy.  Choose happiness.  Choose love.  Choose grace.  Put others first.  Recognize the people around you.  Tell them they matter. Give the card.  Write the note.  Give the gift.  Offer the hug.  Have faith.  And, above all, love one another.  That is how Lisa lived.  That is how she would want to be remembered.  And that is how her light will continue to shine.  Lisa, you were loved beyond measure.  You were our ray of sunshine, and you always will be.  A Celebration Of Life will be held at a later date.