Patricia Ellen Howell Thompson

Patricia “Patty” “Grandma Pat” Ellen (Howell) Thompson passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, September 22nd, the first day of Fall. She was born on June 14, 1943, in Mitchell, Indiana, to the late Thomas and Nancy Howell.

Grandma Pat was the storyteller of the family. She shared many experiences with all she knew, from canning vegetables to conspiracy theories, and she was always very convincing. She had a way of drawing people in, and everyone loved listening to her stories—especially the scary ghost ones. Whether you believed every story or not, you certainly never forgot them. She had a curious spirit and loved stories that sparked her imagination, especially those that made her wonder about the unknown. She enjoyed a good mystery, science fiction, all things aliens, Bigfoot, and anything that made her ask, “What if?” She loved sharing those stories and theories, and somehow made you wonder right along with her.

Grandma Pat was never afraid of a good time. She spoke her mind freely, and you never had to wonder where you stood with her. She was honest, outspoken, and completely herself.

Everyone has their own stories about her, including memories of choosing their own switches from a tree just to make sure they met her approval. Somehow, even those moments became stories we now laugh about and cherish.

Holidays always held a special place in her heart. They weren’t just about the food or the traditions, but about staying up late, laughing, and talking for hours—although dumplings, dressing, and divinity candy usually made an appearance.

She was always there to support the people she loved, offering a listening ear without judgment. She welcomed anyone who needed a place to stay and was a devoted caregiver, supporting her family in countless ways throughout the different stages of their lives.

She loved her Hallmark movies and the sense of comfort and happiness they brought her. She wanted that same feeling for everyone around her, including the animals she cared for. She never met a stray. If an animal needed love or a home, they could always count on her to open her heart and her door—especially her beloved cat, Penny.

Grandma Pat appreciated the finer things in life: all things pretty, feeding the birds and squirrels, computer games like Solitaire and FarmVille, stuffed animals, cold beer, circus peanuts, cream horns, smoking a cigarette or two, and a good thunderstorm.

We know she’s with God in heaven, still watching The Twilight Zone, searching for aliens, solving a good mystery, telling a ghost story, and speaking her mind exactly as she always did. Knowing her, she’d probably have something to say about all of us reading this, too.

She finally knows whether or not Bigfoot is real, and there’s no doubt that when we meet again, she’ll tell us all about it. We’ll carry her memory, her stories, her laughter, and her love with us always.

She leaves behind her children: John, Jane (Ron), Betsy (Tom), and Jim (Gina); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty; and her cat, Penny.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Charlie.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

A private celebration of life will be held in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grandma Pat’s memory to Nine Lives Cafe and Cat Lounge (1315 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203), an organization that reflects her lifelong love for cats.