Marie Jonette Hegarty

Marie Jonette Hegarty, 80, who lived most of her life in Indiana, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024, in Indianapolis. Marie was born on September 18, 1943, the second of John Gerard and Margaret Schulz Hegarty’s four daughters. Of her youth in Wanamaker, Marie fondly reminisced about simple childhood pleasures and high jinx with her sisters, including rolling skating in the basement of their home; altering furniture and repainting whole rooms after selecting and purchasing paint in the village, all of which her mother entrusted completely to the girls; and paddling a canoe around Lake Shafer. Marie graduated from Scecina Memorial High School in 1961, later earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, and worked for many years at American United Life in Indianapolis, where she met her late husband, Ross Long. Marie and Ross retired to St. Petersburg, Florida, where they spent happy years watching dolphins and manatees off the dock behind their house and being active in their community. Marie believed in the power of prayer and had strong faith in God, which she imparted to her sons and from which the entire family has been blessed. Marie is preceded in death by her parents and husband and is survived by son Harold Augusta Ducote III and his wife, Kathy, of Greenwood, and their son, Harold Augusta Ducote IV; son Lt. Col. John Gerard Ducote, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), and his wife, Nicole, of St. Augustine, Florida, and their children: Emily Ducote, Sarah Ducote, Elizabeth Ducote, and John Gerard Ducote II, SSG, U.S. Army, and Bria Perkins, SGT, U.S. Army, and children Ellie Mae Perkins, Liam Perkins, and John Gerard Ducote III; son Bryan Ducote and his wife, Heather, of Blacksburg, Virginia, and children Jane Chadwick, Mary Chadwick, Jack Ducote, and Samuel Ducote. Marie is also survived by sister Ann Zaban and husband Bob, of Wanamaker; sister Helen McGee and husband Bob, of Bargersville; and sister Patty Osburn, of Morgantown, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and dear friends.

There will be a memorial gathering for family and friends for Marie on Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Nativity Catholic Church, 7225 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana 46239.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM. 

Services entrusted to O'Riley-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227.