Charlotte Sprehn Mead

Charlotte E. Austin Sprehn Mead, 98, began an extended trip to parts unknown on February 21, 2016. She was born October 5, 1917 in Elgin, Ill to Alice O'Brien and Fred R. Austin. (The youngest of 7, she was predeceased by 4 sisters and 2 brothers.) After graduating early from Elgin HS she worked in accounts for a department store. On December 31, 1938, she married George Warren Sprehn, Jr. in Elgin, Ill, after which they honeymooned on the midnight train to Washington DC where he was in medical school. After his service in the Army, they settled in DC where he completed his training in Psychiatry and they reared 7 children (6 sons and a daughter). Later she worked at the U of FL and UC Riverside. On December 16, 1974, she married Philip E. Mead and honeymooned in Santiago, Chile, where he was on assignment as an engineer. They subsequently travelled the world, living for extended periods in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. While in Katmandu, she joined a Buddhist monastery in search of enlightenment. After shaving her head, meditating, and fasting for a month, she returned to a mystified Phil. Later she took an adventurous train trip throughout India with her niece, Ann Austin. Other memorable trips with Phil included Scandinavia, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, etc. In 2008, they moved to Indianapolis where they resided at Westside Garden Plaza. (She was predeceased by her first husband, Warren, and her 4th child, Brian.) She is survived by her beloved husband, Phil, 5 sons, 1 daughter, 19 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and 2 great, great grandchildren. During her lifetime she had two primary careers (as a loving homemaker and a world traveler). In her "retirement" she enjoyed the companionship of her husband, Phil, visiting with family and friends, reading, crossword puzzles, and afternoon cocktails. She was known for her quiet demeanor, thoughtfulness and sardonic wit. She never liked goodbyes and specifically requested no sad gathering once she was gone. She will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org or you may call their Donor Services at (888) 392-0392. No local services. Stevens Mortuary 5520 W. 10th St., Indpls, IN 46224 is entrusted with arrangements. To leave the family online condolences please visit www.stevensmortuary.net. We encourage family and friends to visit the site and share a special story or memory about Charlotte.