Margaret M. Maxwell

Margaret Mary (Leonard) Maxwell was born October 4, 1924, to Irish immigrants William and Margaret (Tully) Leonard and died September 27, 2023. Margaret was a life-long Indianapolis resident who dedicated herself to raising children and developing our appreciation for the natural world. Sunrises, sunsets, birds, thunderstorms, and home-grown tomatoes were all things to be noticed and appreciated.

She was noted for cooking healthy and delicious meals. She was also notorious for telling huge lies to children (“Children are not allowed in grocery stores”) and for passing out the sports trophies left behind by her children to reward her grandchildren for eating vegetables. She never missed an election (primary or general) and instilled that civic duty into her children and grandchildren.

She was married to John J. Maxwell for 68 years until his passing in November 2022. Survivors include her children Margaret Maxwell (John Krauss), John (Cindy) Maxwell, Jane (Randy) Hughes, Mary Maxwell (Bill Walsh), Tom (Sarah) Maxwell, and Catherine (Patrick) Bonadurer as well as 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Patricia Leonard.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her son, Vincent Maxwell, siblings James Leonard, Ellen Falvey, Sr. Delia Leonard, SP; Joseph Leonard, Winifred Strack, William Leonard, Fr. Sebastian Leonard, OSB, and Mary Agnes Spellman.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m on October 6, 2023, at O’Riley-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory and the Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. on October 7, 2023, at Good Shephard Catholic Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Providence Place, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. The family expresses their gratitude to the staff at St. Francis Hospice House and her long-time caregivers, Valencia Coombs and Maureen Barkley, for their assistance and care.