Obituary
Vanessa Drane PeGan, 69, of Lafayette, IN, passed peacefully on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born March 28, 1953, in Indianapolis to Murl and Norma (Langley) Drane and held many roles throughout her life, including dutiful daughter, caring sister to twin brother Charles (Linda) Drane, and baby brother Alan Drane; devoted wife of 49 years to Pete PeGan, loving mother to Cassie (Troy) Hitchcock, Natalie (Will) Lundstrom, Sam (Betsy) PeGan, and Vince (Jennifer) PeGan, grandmother to Cason, Kennedy, Allie Mae, Runner (late) Lundstrom, and Mason PeGan (of Vince and Jennifer); and gregarious friend & classmate to countless others.

Vanessa's cherished childhood memories lie in the hills of Kentucky, where many summers were spent at her grandmother's general store and bonding with a horse that others deemed unbreakable. Vanessa graduated from Lawrence Central High school in 1971 and received a bachelor's degree in Art Education at Purdue University, where she met her husband Pete. Vanessa was an accomplished painter, curator, and sculptor, known for her magical “Christmas Around the World” Exhibits, notably at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the Indianapolis Children's Museum, and the Cincinnati Zoo among others.

Vanessa and Pete leveraged their knowledge and passion for arts and architecture to restore and preserve numerous historical buildings in Lafayette, including Main Street Mercantile, home to their antiques & collectibles store for almost 40 years. Vanessa carefully curated window displays that would light up Main Street during the holiday season. Her home was no exception, every season Vanessa took pride in the hours spent decorating their Victorian home, capturing the essence of the holiday spirit, worthy of a painting itself.

Her artistry was not limited to just the visual arts. Vanessa was an adept writer, (fluent in the art of sarcasm), an event planner (especially tailgates), a fierce community advocate, and a creative teacher, whose artistic abilities were imparted onto her children from a young age. She brought joy, laughter, and insight to everyone she knew and any stranger she encountered (granted they had a spare 45 minutes). She could challenge, humor, and charm you all in a single conversation. Vanessa had a lifetime's worth of strength, love, and spirit that she gave freely to her friends and family, and in true Vanessa style…. right up until her last day with us. She lived her life with faith, passed on from her mother, and an undebatable sense of self. She did it her way.

Despite the attempt, words can’t truly describe how much Vanessa means to all of us.

For those she loved and leaves behind, she wanted to pass on these life lessons: “Honor God. Take care of your family. Always be honest and kind.”

Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 23rd, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation at 638 North Street, Lafayette, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Salvation Army, or Mental Health American in loving memory of Vanessa PeGan.

https://www.fisherfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=26169839&source=SmsSh