Mary Dorothy "Dottie" Wisely

Mary Dorothy Mize Wisely Mary Dorothy ("Dottie") Mize Wisely, age 94, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on March 5, 2017. She was born September 10, 1922 in Alexandria, Louisiana, the only child of Ruby May and Byron H. Mize of Nacogdoches, Texas. The Mizes established the Mize Department Store, a downtown landmark that served Nacogdoches for over 80 years. Dottie attended Stephen F. Austin University and graduated from Southern Methodist University with a major in Business Administration. Dottie was the widow of Harold M. Wisely and daughter-in-law of Allie D. and J.H. Wisely of Nacogdoches. J.H. Wisely served SFA as its business manager and head of the department of commerce, sociology and economics. The first dormitory on campus, Wisely Hall, was named in his honor. Dottie and Harold married in 1944, during his service in World War II. When the war ended, they moved to Chicago, where Harold completed a PhD. in psychology at Northwestern University. Like others of their generation, they spent the post-war years in the typical "Quonset hut" housing that dotted post-war American campuses. In 1947, Dottie and Harold moved their family to Indianapolis, India...[more]

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world headquarters of Eli Lilly and company. Harold joined the pharmaceutical company as its first industrial psychologist. At his death in 1976, Dr. Wisely was executive vice president of Lilly. Dottie focused her energies on raising their two daughters and becoming a homemaker in the fullest sense of the word--designing and overseeing construction of a beautiful house for her family and filling it with the love, hospitality, and nurturance that create a home. An active volunteer and benefactor, Dottie was a Girl Scout leader and past president of Crossroads Guild. She was a member of Indianapolis Day Nursery Auxiliary, Stansfield Circle, and Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, and she contributed generously to organizations that served the community, such as Fletcher Place, St. Luke's Methodist Church, The YMCA's Camp Tecumseh, Girls Incorporated, Ronald McDonald House, WFYI, the Indianapolis Zoo and the Alzheimer's Association. In memory of her mother, Dottie endowed the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches Texas. Nestled in a loblolly pine forest, the eight-acre garden features more than 7,000 azaleas in every imaginable hue, as well as camellias, Japanese maples and more than 1,000 other ornamental trees. In recognition of the garden's beauty, Nacogdoches was the first city in the United States to earn the distinction of "Azalea City of America." In 2013, it was designated "The Garden Capital of Texas." Dottie also established the Wisely Honors Scholarship at the University to encourage student achievement. Dottie loved tending her own garden and traveling the world. She excelled in ballroom dancing--beginning with lessons in her fifties and going on to win over a dozen awards in national competitions. Her zest for life was evident in the joy she took from simple pleasures--walking nature trails, searching for seashells, enjoying card games, talking with friends, and solving the daily crossword puzzle. Dottie is survived by her two daughters, D. Susan Wisely of Fearrington Village, North Carolina and Deborah W. Vondle (David) of Carmel, Indiana, and grandchildren, Laura E. Vondle of Seminole, Florida, and David W. Vondle (Breanne Heath) of Chicago, Illinois. Michael Gunason, one of two devoted sons-in-law, predeceased her. Lifelong friends Marjorie and Charles Spiegel and their children became part of her extended family. The help and friendship of Ruby Quarles and Molly Gunason brought light to her later years and always gave her a reason to smile. The family will always appreciate the devotion of the dedicated caregivers from Home Instead and Sunrise on Old Meridian. Dottie was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her generosity and spirit touched all who knew her. A celebration of Dottie's life will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 12, 2017 at St Luke's Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis. Calling will be at the church from 12:30 pm until 2:00. Arrangements have been entrusted to Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, Indianapolis, IN. You may visit www.leppertmortuary.com where you can sign the guest book or leave a personal message for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fletcher Place Community Center, 1637 Prospect Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203, or the charity of one's choice.