Friends and family lost the amazing Emily Bond Gilchrist, age 61, due to complications from recent surgery. Always a magical person, she would make you smile; was generous to a fault; consistently found an imaginative way to grant your wishes; anticipated your needs; was vivacious; had an incredible wit, insight, and a truly wicked and infectious laugh. And she was mischievous in the best way. She was innately creative, innovative, hardworking, and amazingly artistic. She listened. She cared for, tried to, and did make a difference in the lives of others. She had an amazing smile and twinkling eyes. She was the best friend, mother and spouse anyone could ever have. More than anything, Emily was an amazing mother to her 3 children; Sarah, Martha, and Sam (and wife Ashley), and a true soul mate to her husband of 42 years, Howard (Howdy) Tawney Gilchrist. An open house celebration of Emily’s life will be held Saturday, August 15th, from 3 – 6PM, at the Mystic Bay Clubhouse, 7727 Mystic Bay Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46240. Please come and share Emily memories and stories. Donations may be made to Social Health Association or Planned Parenthood of Indiana.The stories of “Emily” episodes are legion and are always accompanied by laughter and tears. Emily was proud of her children’s accomplishments and relished their time with her. Her time with Howdy was magical – 42 years in love together as partners and friends. The echoes of Emily’s laughter rings through the tears.\tEmily was born in Indianapolis on October 13, 1953. She grew up the 2nd of 4 sisters (Alice, Marcia and Nina). Formative and adolescent years were spent in the incredible 71st street neighborhood, amongst the “71st street” gang. After John Strange Elementary School, Eastwood and NCHS, Emily went off to Clemson University where she met the love of her life, Howdy Gilchrist. She married at age 19, and embarked with Howdy on a wonderful, creative, supportive and loving adventure together. Life took them from Howdy’s home in South Carolina to Indiana. In recent years, Emily and Howdy have resided in Indianapolis, where Emily has deployed her creative talents for friends and clients all over the City. She was especially proud of the numerous installations she did for the Indiana State Fair.\tEmily was an extremely beautiful woman whose physical and inner beauty increased with age. We are all cheated by her leaving us so soon, but we cherish the time we had with her. We are better for it. She is survived by her husband Howdy, her 3 children, Sarah, Martha and Sam, her 3 sisters, and extended family.
