Louise Lieberman

Louise Lieberman passed away in her sleep on September 6th at Marquette Manor in Indianapolis at the age of 105.

Louise was born on January 27th, 1918 in New York City, New York to Louis Sugarman and Sadie Krell Sugarman. She was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and attended James Madison High School.

As a child, Louise's passion was fashion and sewing, and she would spend countless hours dressing her dolls and paper cut figures to be the height of fashion. At the age of sixteen, she enrolled in Brooklyn’s renowned Pratt Institute, where she earned a degree in Fashion and Design.

In 1937, upon graduating from Pratt, she worked as a designer and house model for

Ann Sutton, a renowned dress designer on New York’s famed 7th Avenue.

On August 24th, 1941, Louise married Howard Lieberman in Brooklyn. Three years later, with Howard serving in WW II, Louise worked in the Brooklyn Naval Yard to support the war effort.

In 1946, Louise and Howard resettled to Indianapolis, where the following year, Robert Krell, their first son, was born. Four years later, a second son, Clyde Michael, was welcomed into the home where Louise would live for nearly 70 years.  Both sons were named after Louise’s cousins whom lost their lives in the WWII.

Skilled at both sewing and fashion drawing, and never far from her treasured Vogue magazine, Louise made smart and well-tailored clothing for not only herself but her family as well.

Though primarily a homemaker, Louise worked part-time in the dress and lingerie department at Wm. H. Block Co. in the Glendale Shopping Center.

After the death of her beloved Howard in 1983, Louise volunteered at The Indianapolis Museum of Art helping to conserve and catalogue the fashion and fiber arts collection and at Planned Parenthood where she was an early advocate of women’s reproductive rights.

Both with Howard as well as for more than 30 years after his passing, Louise traveled the world experiencing everything from The Great Wall of China to the Tombs of the Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, accompanied by family members or friends. Her love for art and music informed her travels.

Louise was loved and admired by all who knew her for her positive spirit and infectious enthusiasm. She was nobody’s fool, could be direct to a fault and possessed a wicked sense of humor.

Louise is survived by her two sons, Robert (m. Judith) and Clyde (m. Sharon), three grandchildren,

Julia Lieberman (m. Oliver Sosa), David Lieberman (m. Molly Taylor), and Samantha Lieberman, and two great grandsons, Quinn and Inti Sosa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Indiana.

Arrangements by Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Funeral Home