The Flower Blog

Faces of Gillespie Florists: Meet Jackalyn!

Posted by Tue, Mar 03, 2026 @ 01:00 PM

Meet Jackalyn Gallagher — Delivery Manager

This month, we’re excited to introduce one of the friendly faces who helps bring your flowers right to your doorstep: Jackalyn Gallagher, our wonderful Delivery Manager.

Jackalyn has been part of the Gillespie family for four years, and if you’ve ever received a delivery from us at your home or event, there’s a good chance she was the smiling face behind the surprise. One of her favorite things about the job is simple but heartfelt: no one is ever upset when you show up with flowers.

From busy city streets to peaceful country roads, Jackalyn has seen it all — and she loves the variety each day brings. Her routes have led her to stunning event venues, beautiful homes, and countless meaningful moments, giving her a firsthand look at the joy, surprise, and comfort flowers can bring. For her, every delivery is a small adventure.

Her favorite blooms include elegant irises, lush blue hydrangeas, and shimmering pink roses. When it comes to arrangements, she’s especially fond of our Designer’s Choice designs because each one reflects the creativity and individuality of the designer who made it.

 

Over the years, Jackalyn has collected some truly memorable experiences on the job. One standout moment was when the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile stopped by the shop and even helped with deliveries. Neighborhoods lit up with excitement as people waved and snapped photos, turning an ordinary delivery day into something unforgettable. Another memory she treasures is the week of her own wedding, when she got to watch our designers create her wedding flowers from start to finish. Being part of that process made the experience even more meaningful.

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Outside of work, Jackalyn enjoys spending time with her dogs, her sister and best friend, and — in her own words — lovingly annoying her husband. You might even spot the two of them working side by side at the shop on weekends.

Jackalyn, thank you for the care, dedication, and joy you deliver every single day. We’re so grateful for the kindness you share and the happiness you help spread throughout our community.


Click the names below to learn more about our Gillespie "Family"

Sarah Tyler

Duane Kayleigh Sheila

 

 

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Topics: Gillespie Florists, Indianapolis, meet the staff

Faces of Gillespie Florists: Meet Della!

Posted by Thu, Feb 26, 2026 @ 01:00 PM

DELLA PICMeet Della Mendenhall — Co-Owner, Product Developer, Webmaster & Social Media Manager.

Della has spent nearly her entire life at Gillespie Florists. She and her brother James got their start in the shop at just 5 and 6 years old, earning 50¢ an hour filling water tubes and stuffing statements. She officially joined the payroll at 16 and proudly represents the fourth generation of the Gillespie family. Over the years, she’s had the rare privilege of working alongside five generations — from her grandma Bette, to her parents and siblings, and now her nephew.

Her favorite flower is the white carnation, loved for its soft, ruffled petals that remind her of dove feathers. What Della treasures most about her work is the people — both customers and coworkers. From celebrating life’s happiest moments to offering comfort during the hardest ones, she believes flowers hold meaning in every chapter of life… which is exactly why our motto is #FlowersForLife. She also says the talented team she works with makes every day special — though she admits the dogs that “clock in” at the shop might be her favorite coworkers.

Della especially enjoys welcoming first-time visitors and showing them our 500-square-foot walk-in cooler, where they can hand-select from thousands of fresh stems. She has a deep passion for weddings and events, loving the transformation of empty spaces into rooms filled with color, texture, and fragrance. As a designer, her heart is especially drawn to sympathy work, where she finds purpose in creating pieces that help grieving families feel supported and seen — a calling made even more meaningful after the recent loss of her own mother.

One of her most memorable moments happened as a teenager at our former West Washington St. location. She watched as the staff gently cared for a Vietnam veteran with a brain injury who believed the shop was a bank. They lovingly kept track of his “deposits” and helped him make “withdrawals” when he asked. That experience forever shaped her perspective, showing her that a neighborhood florist is more than a store — it’s a place of kindness, trust, and community.

Della looks forward to designing during major holidays like Valentine’s Day, Prom, and Mother’s Day, when the shop is buzzing with laughter and teamwork. Her favorite arrangement on our website is “Vamped,” a bold prom design she created herself. Outside the shop, she enjoys time with family, gardening, canning, camping, kayaking, and fishing.

Della’s gentle spirit and dedication to service are a beautiful reflection of our family’s legacy, and we’re so grateful she’s at the heart of Gillespie Florists.

 

Click the Names below to learn more about our staff!

Sarah Tyler

Duane Kayleigh Sheila

Autumn

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Topics: meet the staff

Faces of Gillespie Florists: Meet Autumn!

Posted by Thu, Dec 04, 2025 @ 06:00 PM

KSBADGE_25-02🌼 Faces of Gillespie Florists: Meet Autumn! 🌼

This month, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Autumn, one of our talented floral designers who has been adding her creativity and bright spirit to Gillespie Florists for the past four years.

Whether she’s crafting thoughtful tributes or designing cheerful everyday arrangements, Autumn brings artistry, heart, and genuine care to everything she creates.

🌸 Get to Know Autumn

✨ Favorite Flower: Ranunculus — those delicate layers get her every time.
✨ Go-To Arrangement: Designer’s Choice. She loves the freedom to let the flowers—and inspiration—guide her.
✨ What She Loves Most: Sharing joy. For Autumn, every design is a chance to brighten someone’s day while expressing her creativity.

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🌿 Her Design Passions

Autumn has a special talent for creating casket sprays and meaningful funeral designs. Honoring loved ones through flowers is something she approaches with compassion and intention, making each piece unique and heartfelt.

🌼 Her Floral Journey

Her start in floral design began nine years ago when a friend mentioned a job opening at a local florist. That simple tip set her on a path that eventually led her to us—and we’re so glad it did!

🌄 Life Outside the Shop

When she’s not designing, you’ll find Autumn exploring the outdoors on a good hike or playing bass guitar. She’s also currently studying Business Administration at Ivy Tech, adding even more to her already impressive skill set.

Help us celebrate Autumn and the beauty, care, and creativity she brings to our team and our community every single day! 💐💛

 

Want to learn more about the Faces of Gillespie Florists? Click the names below!

Sarah      Tyler

Duane    Kayleigh  Sheila

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Topics: Indianapolis, meet the staff, flowersforlife, family florist

The Faces of Gillespie Florists: Meet Sheila Wise

Posted by Sun, Nov 02, 2025 @ 10:04 AM

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🌸 The Faces of Gillespie Florists 🌸

Say hello to Sheila Wise, one of our incredible floral designers — or as she likes to call herself, “floral designer extraordinaire.”

Sheila has been part of the Gillespie Florists family for 16 years, and we truly can’t imagine the shop without her!

Her favorite blooms? White roses, white peonies, and mink protea — timeless, elegant, and full of personality, just like her designs.

When asked what she loves most about working at Gillespie, Sheila shared:

“The people — most of us are like family. We can get mad, poke fun at each other, and it’s all good the next minute. We hold each other up when needed.”

SHEILAWISE
Sheila has a special place in her heart for funeral work, where her empathy and artistry shine as she helps bring comfort through flowers. Her floral journey began over 30 years ago, when she started helping friends and family with weddings and funerals — until one day, a shop owner recognized her natural talent and hired her on the spot!

As for her favorite Gillespie memory?

“During my interview, I was joking around and being super sarcastic with someone in the design room — not realizing he was the owner! I thought I’d blown it, but he insisted they hire me… and here I am, all these years later!”

When she’s not designing stunning arrangements like her favorite, ‘Warmest Remembrance,’ you’ll find Sheila remodeling her house, camping, or spending time with her beloved dogs. Around the shop, she’s affectionately known as our resident “vet/nurse,” always ready to lend a hand (or a bandage).

Sheila believes that “people are put in your life when needed — either for you or for them.” We couldn’t agree more.

💐 Join us in celebrating Sheila — 16 years of creativity, compassion, and humor at Gillespie Florists!

Want to learn more about the Faces of Gillespie Florists? Click the names below!

Sarah      Tyler

Duane    Kayleigh

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Topics: Gillespie Florists, meet the staff, family florist, floral design

Meet Our Gillespie Florists Mascots

Posted by Thu, Aug 18, 2016 @ 11:14 AM

Raw_badgetag-01-1.png"Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet."
— Colette


Our customers find more than flowers when they visit our store! We have delightful dogs who bring smiles and chuckles whenever they are in the building. If you haven't met them in person, plan a visit to meet one (or more) of our beloved mascots. Till then take a moment to learn more about our furry friends who frequent the store, ask for belly rubs, ear scritches and all the love and hugs they can get. 

***SPECIAL NOTE****If you would prefer to have your shopping experience mascot free,
call us at 317.273.1100 and we will have our furry friends take a break in the back.

Meet Minnie Pearl

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Minnie Pearl (often referred to as Minnie) is our newest English Bull addition to the Gillespie Florist Family!
She has been learning the ropes from her big sister Evie. Minnie is super playful and very sweet. She enjoys spending lots of time with Mom and Dad, walking, exploring and playing with family.

Evie!

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Evie has been with us a few years and learned the ins and outs of being a perfect mascot under the constant tutelage of big sister Pearl. Evie is also one for adventure. She is very courageous and very gentle. Before Evie joined the family we invited our friends and fans to vote on her name. It was a very exciting experience with so many excellent names from which to choose. We are happy Evie was the most popular vote, we can't imagine calling her anything else.

Sawyer

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Next up is the super cute Sawyer! Half Yorkie, half Pekingese/Dachshund and 100% Princess! Sawyer may be a diva but we don't mind, her superpower is looking ADORABLE all the time. She can often be found snoozing on top of desks, under feet or following her second favorite human (Sarah) around the store. Sawyer may be small but her personality is mighty. She gives Minnie and Evie and run for their money and often stops everyone in their tracks due to her charm.

 

Tula, Juno and Bose

furbabyfridaytulaNext up are a few Great Danes who often ride with Pat while he takes deliveries. Tula is the youngest of the bunch. She is very playful and loves to lean in for back pats. Juno is the eldest and loves to shake hands. Bose is a most handsome boy and loves to keep Susan company at home. While at the store these gentle giants spend most of their time in Pat's van or resting outside in the sunshine. This terrific trio does not often visit but when they do, rest assured they're here to help Pat get back on the road so he can treat them to dinner on the way home.

 

 

Pictured: Tula with Pat
Pictured Below: Juno with the bespeckled Bose 

 

BOSE

 

We have more furry friends to introduce. Be sure to check our social media pages for Furbaby Fridays, when we share updates on the entire crew!

Miss out seeing Minnie and Evie on your last visit? We've got links for you follow them and their family adventures below!

Evie and Minnie Pearl on Twitter at Bulldog Evie & Minnie Pearl


***SPECIAL NOTE****If you would prefer to have your shopping experience mascot free, call us at 317.273.1100 and we will have our furry friends take a break in the back.


 

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Topics: store history, meet the staff, shop mascot, store mascot, flower bulldog

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