Dr. Marcella L. Sullivan Modisett Obituary (1917

Dr. Marcella Sullivan Modisett passed away peacefully November 24, 2013 at 10:20 p.m. at her home surrounded by members of her loving family. Dr. Modisett was born June 6, 1917 to Mabel Sholty and Devaine Sullivan in Wabash, Indiana. As a child Dr. Modisett attended school in Silver Lake and North Manchester, Indiana where she graduated high school. She graduated from Manchester College in 1939 and graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1943 after studying one year in Bloomington and three years in Indianapolis. On June 6, 1943 Marcella wed Jackson Woollen Modisett in North Manchester, Indiana. Later that summer they both were graduated from medical school. After graduation, Dr. Jack Modisett, was a Navy officer in the Pacific theater of WWII. Dr. Marcella, as she was later known, did her internship at Indianapolis City Hospital, residency at San Francisco Children's Hospital in OB-GYN, and she did another residency at Cleveland City Hospital. In 1946, after her husband Dr. Jack Modisett completed his naval duty, the couple chose to start their medical practices in Madison, Indiana. On January 1, 1950 the Modisetts, IU classmate Dr. Robert O. Zink, and surgeon Dr. Lewis Jolly formed a partnership that was known as the Madison Clinic, 722 W. Main Street. Through the years the Madison Clinic grew to become one of the largest medical practices in the area. Dr. Marcella retired from the practice of medicine in 1984. Dr. Marcella was active in various community groups including serving on the boards of the Kentuckiana Girl Scouts of America, Jefferson County Board of Health, Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County, Jefferson County Historical Society and Planned Parenthood of Indiana. In recognition of her service to these organizations, Dr. Marcella also received a number of awards. In 1979 she was given the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. In 2013 she was named one of the Girls' Inc. "She Knows Where She's Going" honorees. Also in 2013, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana presented her with the "Tough Cookie Award", which is their highest award given to volunteers. One of Dr. Marcella's most enduring achievements was working with other community members to create a place for Girl Scouts throughout the Kentuckiana area to enjoy the experience of the outdoors. Camp Whippoorwill stands as a testament to her love for Girl Scouts and its mission. Dr. Marcella also was a member of Daffodil Society of Southern Indiana where she won first of show with one of her over 150 varieties of daffodils that she grew in her yard. For many years she participated in the annual bird count. SURVIVORS Dr. Modisett's survivors include daughter Pat Modisett and her husband Sam Wilson of Houston, TX and their daughter Sarah Wilson St. Louis; daughter Karen Modisett of Madison, son J. Michael Modisett and his wife Jan Kleopfer of Lexington, IN; son W. Marc Modisett and his wife Kim Roberts of Waterford, Michigan and his daughter Cathy Modisett Berkey and her husband Ryan, San Francisco. Additional survivors: Nephews; William Merrill Sullivan and Donald Harold Sullivan; cousins: Mrs. Sylvia Sholty Priest; Mr. Jay Sullivan and his wife Barbara; Mrs. Marlyn Sullivan Brown and her husband Glen; Mrs. Sharon Sullivan Hinrichsen and husband Roy. Dr. Marcella was preceded in death by her parents Devaine & Mabel Sholty Sullivan; her husband Dr. Jackson Modisett 1978, her brother Harold Demoine Sullivan; her cousins Dr. William Sholty, Mrs. Mary Jane Sholty Murtaugh; Mrs. Geraldine Sullivan Slough, and Mrs. Jean Sullivan Halterman. CELEBRATION OF LIFE A celebration of Dr. Marcella's life will be held Monday, December 2, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Dennis Ingle at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow at the Grandview Memorial Gardens, 9306 North U.S. 421 near Madison, Indiana. VISITATION Public visitation will be held Sunday, December 1, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until time of the ceremony at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. EXPRESSIONS of SYMPATHY The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County (Jefferson County Historical Society Fund, Kentuckiana Girl Scout Fund, Rinda Raines Memorial) or the charity of the donor's choosing. Cards are available at the funeral home. Click Here for Funeral Service or Tribute Video