Mary Heindel Tardy

Martha "Marty" (Heindel) Tardy -

NAPLES - With full hearts and lasting memories, we honor the life of Martha Heindel Tardy, who brought joy, wisdom, and love to everyone she met.

She passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of 90 with her devoted husband Gene by her side. Marty was a doting and compassionate mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Born in Chicago, IL on October 28, 1934, to Alice Pearsall Heindel and John Harold Heindel, she lived a life marked by kindness, strength, and unwavering love for her family. She had a heart that welcomed everyone, and had the extraordinary ability to make people feel seen, heard, and loved.

She will be remembered for her warmth, wisdom, and strength, as well as her many humorous sayings (“front and center,” “snare and delusion,” and “lumpy mit” come to mind). Marty was raised in River Forest, IL and graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1952, where she was voted most beautiful in her class. She went on to attend her beloved Indiana University, graduating in 1956 with a degree in sociology. She adored her Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sisters and was an active alumni member for many years.

She met and fell deeply in love with her future husband M. Eugene Tardy, Jr. while at IU, and they married in 1957. She was busy every minute of every day, First at work for Eli Lilly during Gene’s medical school years and then as a mother and volunteer.

She was a dedicated member of the Infant Welfare Society Circle 31, past president of the OPRF Day Nursery, board member and campaign chair of the Community Chest, Ravinia board member, and on the Board of Directors of the Oak Park Trust and Savings Bank.

In more recent years, Marty served on many committees at Indiana University, including the Executive Dean’s Advisory Board of the College of Arts and Sciences, as Chair of the Alumni Board of the College of Arts and Sciences, and as a founding member of both the Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and the Women’s Colloquium Steering Committee.

She was a firrm believer in the idea that “women deserve a seat at the table when philanthropy is discussedand have both the money and brains to participate in all things philanthropic.” She received the inaugural Order of Merit award from her university in 2010. At her summer home in Culver, IN, she was a past treasurer and campaign chair of the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund, advocating for the health and sustainability of the lake she loved.

At her winter home in Naples, FL she was the condominium association president for many years, sat on the Habitat for Humanity selection committee and chaired their English as a Second Language program, was a member of the Greater Naples Leadership Program, Class XI, and served on both the Scholarship and Audubon committees at Royal Poinciana.

She was always involved and always helping others. Her greatest pride, however, was her family, and she leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Gene, and her three adoring daughters: Sallie Jo (Chap) Mitzell of West?eld, IN, Karen Tardy of Oak Park, IL, and Elizabeth (Ron) Holloway of Pittsboro, NC.

She was enthralled with and deeply loved her “treasures”, her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Kemmie Mitzell, Katie (Kevin) Fagan, James and Jack Fagan, Ben (Shaina Duecaster) Brown, Austin and Mackenzie Brown, Alex (Nina Shriam) Brown, Channing (Bella Valentini) Mitzell, Hannah (Josh) Kaegi, and Sam (Bailey Poplin) Holloway. She set ?rm and high standards for her children and grandchildren, lovingly helping them achieve their goals. When asked how they would describe their grandmother, the words attentive, thoughtful, principled, wise, curious, supportive, determined, welcoming, chic, gentle, and clever were among the grandchildren’s favorites. We, along with her many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and sisters-in-law, will all forever delight in her memory. Marty was a life-long learner with an immense curiosity and a passion for the world around her.

She was forever a great defender of the underdog and excelled in her roles as teacher, ?nancial advisor, psychologist, chef, maid, seamstress, party planner, and chief organizer. She loved IU basketball and saving the sea turtles, and always said “it’s nice to know you” rather than “it’s nice to meet you.” She was a ?ercely loyal friend.

A private celebration of her life will be held on Saturday June 7th in Culver, IN.

In lieu of ?owers, Marty requests that “you give anyone you care about a hug and tell them you love them. Please don’t wait.” If a monetary donation is truly desired, she would designate the Martha H. Tardy Scholarship Fund at the College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Foundation, c/o Sue Sgambelluir, P.O. Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN, 46206. Please make your check payable to Indiana University Foundation and include the notation Martha Heindel Tardy Scholarship on the memo line.

Though she is no longer with us, her love will remain a guiding light gentle, steady, and everlasting. - Naples Daily News Naples, Florida Jun 3, 2025