Indy mom killed in murder suicide was ‘kind to a fault’. How to help her daughters

If you are in immediate danger from domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text START to 88788. This article contains mention of suicide. If you are at risk, please stop here and contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.

At Christmas gatherings, Ashley Nolan carefully prepared coffee for her extended family members, ensuring every cup had the recipient's preferred ratio of cream.

Nolan's uncle, Jim Bowman, remembers the joy in her eyes as she brought each drink to the table.

"She would say, 'Hey Uncle Jim, do you want a cup of coffee?' And whether I did or not, I would always say 'yes, Ashley, I do want a cup of coffee."

Nolan loved helping others.

"She just wanted to make her family happy. And that's what she did. She made us happy for 41 years," Bowman said.

Nolan died Monday night after she was shot by her husband of 18 years. Police say he also shot and injured the couple's two teenage daughters before turning the gun on himself.

Even as she worked full-time in medical administration, Nolan drove her daughters to dance and gymnastics lessons, cooked meals and did the laundry.

"You would have thought she was a full-time stay-at-home mom with everything she was able to do," Bowman said.

Domestic violence help: Resources for victims in Indianapolis

Nolan began practicing Christianity at age six and was heavily involved in her church's community.

Bowman said Nolan's death is unfathomable for her family. The family hasn't set a date for the funeral, but it will be open to the public, her uncle said.

"If God wanted to call somebody home early in heaven, it would be her," Bowman said. "She was kind to a fault."

How to help Delaney and Jillian

Nolan is survived by her two daughters, Delaney and Jillian. The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the girls' recovery. At the time of reporting, donations totaled about $78,000.

This article will update.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy mom killed in murder suicide was ‘kind to a fault’. How to help her daughters