Betty Jo Coburn, of Indianapolis, Indiana (formerly of Martinsville, Indiana and Brookport, Illinois), died on August 7, 2015.  Betty was born on September 18, 1934 in Brookport, Illinois to Clarence Grace and Gracie Lee Grace (both preceding her in death).  She was also preceded in death by her daughter (Deborah Rene (Coburn) McMillan in 1979), three brothers (Wayne, Dick and Barney) and five sisters (Beatrice, Louise, Ethel, Virginia, and Lucille).  She is survived by one brother, Tony Grace (Bourbonnais, Illinois), her daughter, Melodye Mills (Whiteland, Indiana), her son Dennis Coburn (Atlanta, Georgia), five grandchildren, 4 great grandsons and many nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by Virgil Coburn, her lifelong friend.

She retired from Indiana University Hospital in 1997 after a long and varied career of trying many things.  She was lovingly called Gigi by her children and grandchildren and affectionately called the ‘hippy or gypsy aunt’ by many of her nieces and nephews.  She will be remembered for her collections of ‘things,’ her funny notes and the nicknames she gave to those she loved.  She approached everything in her life with a creative passion, and with a sense of inventiveness and whimsy; a true artist.  Her final wish was to be cremated and have a few of her ashes scattered at a local park where she had so many wonderful memories of being entertained by her grandchildren.  A private family gathering is being held on her birthday in September to honor her memory.