About This Memory Space
This page was created for Phyllis M. Gillespie's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Phyllis M. Gillespie's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Phyllis M. Gillespie. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Phyllis M. Gillespie devoted nearly a century to nurturing her community, family, and faith in Indianapolis, leaving behind a tapestry of enduring connections and quiet contributions that spanned generations.
Born in the heart of Indianapolis to Mallie and Edna Gardner, Phyllis grew up embracing the rhythms of Midwestern life. Her path intertwined deeply with her faith as a steadfast member of Old Bethel United Methodist Church, where she found purpose and belonging. Over the decades, she built a life marked by dedication to education, family milestones, and the simple joys of togetherness, outliving her parents, her sister Colleen Steinbruegge, and her beloved husband Billie J. Gillespie, to whom she was wed on July 3, 1948.
For two decades, Phyllis brought her skills and warmth to the School of Education at IUPUI, supporting the growth of future educators and leaving a lasting mark on the academic community through her committed service.
Family & Loved Ones
Phyllis wove her days around the people she held closest, from her children Denyce (Joseph) Heidelman and Brent (Mary) Gillespie, to a vibrant circle of grandchildren—Heather (Bill) Becker, Josh (Susan) Heidelman, Samantha (Kyle) Ferling, and Jessica (Lukas) Retherford—and an ever-expanding joy of great-grandchildren including Saris, Jakob, Madeline, Danielle, Luke, Will, Kate, Natalie, Aria, Leo, Eliza, and Emerson, plus great-great-grandchild Zane. Her sister Janice Lamkin remained a cherished link to her early years, all enriched by Phyllis's steady, welcoming spirit that turned ordinary moments into heartfelt traditions.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from across Phyllis's world echo with admiration for her unwavering kindness and the profound sense of stability she offered everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.
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