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 bega

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