Christine Frances Magruder Hackl, 1927-2024

Christine Frances Magruder Hackl, age 96 of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on March 23, 2024. Christine was born on June 16, 1927 in Jackson, Mississippi. She married Albert James Hackl and celebrated 67 happy years of marriage, and raised eight children seemingly with ease, navigated numerous moves around the country with an adventurous spirit, and never wavered in her Catholic faith.

Known for her strong convictions, Christine never shied away from tough topics and loved discussing politics and religion. A person of deep faith, Christine believed that her most important job was to "get her children into heaven" and joyfully modeled her love of God by attending daily Mass, saying Grace at mealtimes, and visiting every child's bedside for nighttime prayers. She was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church.

A talented artist, Christine attended St. Mary's College at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana for two years and then transferred to Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, earning a Bachelors degree in Fine Art. Christine painted beautiful portraits and still life paintings in oil and watercolor.

Believing that "home should be treated as a work of art," she loved to make all things beautiful, from flower arranging to interior decorating, and loved to entertain guests with her husband in their home.

Her love of beauty extended to music as well, and she enjoyed many years of community activity as a volunteer with the Indianapolis Symphony, Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Lake Wales (FL) Arts Council. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), National Society of Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA), a sustaining member of the Junior League of Indianapolis and a past member of the Junior Leagues of Summit, N.J. and Jackson, Mississippi.

Christine was also a member of the Alliance of Indianapolis Museum of Art, the North Group of the Indianapolis Symphony, the St. Augustine Guild in Indianapolis and the Lake Wales Arts Council in Florida.

With boundless energy, Christine devoted her life to being a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to many. She lit up around people and enjoyed many friendships throughout her life. The wellbeing of her family was always Christine's priority and she took great pleasure in witnessing the strengthening bonds that developed among her children and grandchildren.

In concert with her husband, Christine supported many charities including the funding of permanent endowments for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; St. Luke Church and School, Indianapolis; St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis; Indiana University Medical School; Mayo Clinic; the Bartow Church Services Center, Bartow, Florida; and The Albert J. and Christine M. Hackl Endowment Fund f/b/o Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lake Wales, Florida.

Christine is predeceased by her husband, Albert James Hackl (2018), three brothers, Abbey Wailes Magruder and Frederick Magruder, and Dr. Herbert Magruder. She is survived by her eight children and spouses, Christine Hackl Walsh (Michael), Albert James Hackl, Jr. (Marguerite), Martha Hackl Smith (Stephen), Frederick Abbey Hackl (Marita), Elizabeth Hackl Brainard, Ellen Hackl Fagan (Brendan, deceased), Robert Theodore Hackl (Jo), and Dorothy Hackl Reiser (Carl), thirty-one grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, and sisters-in-law, Lillian Magruder, Ann Magruder, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Augustine Guild, 2345 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or Marquette Manor Foundation, 8140 Township Line Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46260.

Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Drive, East, Indianapolis, Indiana; from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated 11:30 a.m.

Leppert Mortuary assisting with arrangements. To share a personal memory of Christine please visit .