Doris A. Gedeon

Doris Anne (Durbin) Gedeon of Pendleton, Indiana, died at home on August 10, 2026, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 96 years old.

Doris was born October 22, 1929, in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. She was the oldest of 5 children. During the Great Depression, her family moved back to their farm in North Dakota. While her family was struggling financially, she often had to live with relatives, or at a local convent. After things improved, she was able to attend college at what is now North Dakota State University. She was a member of Phi Mu, and also the Newman Club, where she met her future husband Alfredo Gedeon, a native of Cartagena, Colombia.

Doris worked briefly in an insurance office in Minneapolis while Alfredo completed his studies. They were married in 1952 and moved to Indianapolis where a couple of their friends from college were living at the time.

The family moved to Carmel in 1955. When their children were in school, Doris worked as a teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. Later, after they moved back to Indianapolis, she was the librarian at St. Andrew’s School on 38th Street.

Besides being a beloved mother to her own children, Doris was also a mother figure to her extended family. Over the years, several nieces, nephews, and other relatives came to live with them, for schooling, medical care, or other reasons.

Doris and Alfredo were two of the founding members of SADCO Indianapolis (Sociedad Amigos De Colombia, or Friends of Colombia Society). She served as Secretary and was an active member for many years.

Later on, Doris and her husband moved to Fishers, where they attended St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church. Doris was active in the Shawl Ministry, making shawls and quilts for the needy.

In the last year and a half, Doris and Alfredo moved in with their children in Pendleton, where the family all lived together.

As a woman of great faith, Doris faced her illness with dignity, without fear, and was at peace with her passing. We, her family, are grateful to have had her in our lives for so many years and celebrate a life full of meaning and love.

Doris is preceded in death by her brothers Roy, Lyle, and Earl, and her sister Sally. She is survived by her husband of 74 years Alfredo, her children Elizabeth and Edward, her daughter-in-law Cindy, and her grandson Jonathan.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Louis de Montfort Church in Fishers, on Friday August 21 at 10:15am, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, suggested contributions are to The Little Sisters of the Poor in Indianapolis, or the St. Louis de Montfort Food Pantry.