Mary Josephine Carden

Mary Josephine Phelps Carden passed away quietly and peacefully on June 24, 2004 at the Gables of Westerville. She was 95 years young but had convinced her grandchildren that she was perpetually 29. "Jo" was a force of nature; smart, funny and sassy. She owned the room when she walked in and brought energy and spirit with her. She was an active mother; volunteering for every swim meet and Westerville South high school band event. If her kids were in it, she was there. As they grew, she joined a number of organizations and was active with many friends all over Columbus. She was a 75 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and volunteered for years at the Columbus Zoo and the Muirfield golf tournament. When she did sit still, she had a book in her hand. At one point, she owned approximately 500 books and had read them all!

She was a highly respected executive secretary for many years, but her favorite employment was with Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA). She began ushering as a volunteer, but after her retirement, she went to work for CAPA in the offices and as a managing usher. When her children tried to get her to slow down at age 80, she gave up the office job for the role as an usher.

She grew up in a loving family with parents Isaac and Mary Phelps, and siblings Isaac Eugene and Alice Marlene (Katzie) in Lockland Ohio. They loved to laugh and were extremely close. She outlived them all and then missed them continually. Modeling her parents' example, Jo loved her four children, Michael, Jeff, Melanie and Melissa, fiercely. Every one of her 8 grandchildren, Michael II, Matthew, Jeremy, Jason, Jodi, Jessica, Megan and Meredith, are convinced that they are her favorite. Each of them have their own special memory of "Nana Jo".
Now their children are living legacies of Jo's love.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 27th 6-8 pm at Moreland's Funeral Home, 55 E. Schrock Rd, Westerville 43081. Graveside Service will be held Saturday, June 29th at noon at Rest Haven Memorial Park, 10209 Plainfield Rd, Cincinnati 45241. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio in her name.