Mary Frances Crampton

Mary Frances (Tietz) Crampton went to be with The Lord on May 11, 2023. She died peacefully of natural causes after a brief stay in hospice care. She is survived by two siblings - Anthony Tietz (Jane) and Patricia Newman, her two children Jane Kress (Paul) and Thomas Crampton, Jr (Heather), five grandchildren (Rachel Viras (Sehul), Meredith Kress, Alexander Crampton (Phylicia), Bridget Kress and Grace Crampton) and two great grandchildren (Xavier Viras and Kathryn Viras). She was preceded in death by her sister Carol Henderson and by her husband Thomas Crampton, Sr who passed away in September of 1997.

Fran was born in September of 1934 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Alphonse Tietz and Mary Patterson Tietz. She was the oldest of her three siblings. While her immediate family referred to her as Fran, in her professional career she was known as Mary. After graduating as salutatorian of her high school class at Sacred Heart parish she was awarded a scholarship to Marian University. Fran completed one year at Marian University before deciding to change tack and get married and start a family. She devoted the next 20+ years to making sure that her children were off to a good start in life. She and Thomas Sr, along with her extended family provided a steady and wholesome home environment that served as a counterbalance to the social upheaval occurring during the sixties and early seventies. Home life was loving and stable.

Though her family came first, her intellectual interests were never completely set aside. She always enjoyed a good book, especially humor and satire. One of her favorites was P. G. Wodehouse. She also had musical talent. She played both the cello and piano and briefly taught piano lessons. One of her favorite piano pieces was the Paderewski Minuet which she often played after family gatherings. Later in life when most of us are looking to slow down a bit she decided that she would learn Spanish. She hired a tutor, subscribed to several Spanish language versions of news magazines and read Spanish translations of Hemingway. Fran also had a career outside of the home. She held office administrative positions at Indiana National Bank, P. R. Mallory and later at Eli Lilly & Co from which she retired in 1997.

Fran will be missed by her family and friends. She was a kind and gentle soul who was slow to anger and quick to forgive. She always had a smile to match her cheerful demeanor and positive outlook on life. You could always count on her for a comforting shoulder or sage, practical advise.

A Rosary will be prayed for Fran at 9am on May 24. Visitation hours will be from 9:30 to 11:15 on May 24. The Rosary and visitation will be at the O’Riley-Branson funeral home 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis 46227 immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church 535 East Edgewood Ave, Indianapolis 46227. Interment and gravesite service to be held at Calvary Cemetery immediately following Mass.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Fran’s name to “Heartbeat 4 Paws” of Greenwood, IN (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Heartbeatforpaws), or Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.

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