Julia Lello Lacy  

Julia Lello Lacy age 77, passed away on Dec. 31, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of selfless commitment and generosity to the Indianapolis community, and as the loving and guiding matriarch of the prominent Lacy family.

Julia's life journey began April 16, 1939, in Wheaton, Ill., as the daughter of Herbert and Dorothy May Lello.

She came to Indianapolis to serve as a psychiatric research assistant in 1961 after graduating from Denison University, where she completed her bachelor's degree in psychology.

Shortly thereafter, she followed her heart and married Andre B. Lacy, who later became the chairman of LDI, Ltd. Mr. Lacy says he "married up" when he married Julia, describing her as his "best friend, partner, cheerleader, advocate and fan." The two were married for 53 years, until her passing.

Julia is described by community members and family as a woman who exemplified a balance of grace and discipline. She dedicated her time and talent to a number of Indianapolis organizations, serving as the chair of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and as a board member of the Methodist Hospital Foundation, The Indianapolis Zoo and Day Nursery. She also served on the Denison University Board of Trustees, the Children's Museum Guild, and as a member of The Junior League. Her children describe her as being "an Indianapolis cheerleader by making sure her family participated in and knew about all things Indy."

In April 2016, Julia and her husband made a gift to the Butler School of Business to support business education that encourages entrepreneurship and management of closely held enterprises. The gift exemplified Julia's generosity, and her support to education and life-long learning. Julia never sought the spotlight, but earned respect for her support of institutions for which she cared.

To her children, Julia was "a beauty," who was selfless and supportive - helping them with school work and paper routes, volunteering for school events, attending "countless" sports and extracurricular activities, and yet ready with a quick correction to keep her children humble when needed. Her children say "it was impossible not to feel her love," which was lavished also on her nine grandchildren whom she cherished tremendously.

On Dec.31, 2016, Julia passed away in her sleep at her home in Culver, Ind. Her children describe her passing as exemplary of how she lived, which was "on her own terms, beautiful and gracious at home in a place she loved with those most dear to her." Julia is survived by her husband Andre B. Lacy (Indianapolis), her three sons John Andre Lacy (Elizabeth H. Lacy), Mark William Lacy (Julie E. Fischer) and Peter Lello Lacy (Jill S. Lacy) and her grandchildren Rhodes Lacy, Meghan Lacy, Julia Lacy, Rachel Lacy, Ellis Lacy, Callahan Lacy, Jose Lacy, Emma Lacy and Miranda Lacy.

The family will host a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. on Jan. 5, 2017 at Christ Church Cathedral on Monument Circle. A Life elebration reception will follow at Woodstock Country Club from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mrs. Lacy's name to the following organizations that she greatly cherished: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Early Learning Indiana (formerly Day Nursery), or The Methodist Health Foundation.-- Published in the The Indianapolis Star on Jan. 4, 2017