Linda Townsend Carden, 84, passed away suddenly of complications related to newly diagnosed cancer on May 22, 2023. She was born on October 11, 1938 as the only child of Martha and Arthur Purdy and grew up in Ossining, NY.  She attended college at Bucknell University and became pen-pals with a young man by the name of John Matthew Carden, who was attending Union College.  After exchanging letters for 6 months, they met in person for the first time in June 1957 and the rest, they say, is history. Linda went on to graduate from SUNY-Albany and John and Linda were married in August 1959.  They settled in Linwood, New Jersey and both enjoyed long careers at Atlantic Electric.  Linda worked as an analyst and John as Vice President of Operations, and they made many life-long friends there.   They had two wonderful children, daughter Lee Carden Nelson of Peachtree Corners, GA and son Matthew Carden of Costa Mesa, CA.  After retiring, Linda and John moved from New Jersey to be near their much beloved grandchildren, Brian (22) and Charlie Hazelwood (20), and settled in Dunwoody, GA.

She and John enjoyed live theater, both local and on Broadway, watching movies, and dining out. They could often be found enjoying a glass of wine (with ice) together at a favorite restaurant.  Linda spent many years volunteering in the gift shop of Cobb Hospital and made friends everywhere she went.  She frequented her local Panera Bread in Dunwoody and while eating breakfast there most days, formed a friendship with a small group of older gentlemen who were doing the same.  She also had a special place in her heart for the servers and counter staff there. John and Linda were members of St Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Dunwoody and made many friends there.  Linda valued the close relationships she had with the other members of her nightly Compline and weekly L3 (Live, Laugh, and Love) groups. The roles that John and Linda likely enjoyed the most, were as Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop to their two grandchildren, Brian and Charlie.  Linda will be warmly remembered for her impeccable style and ability to coordinate the colors of her outfits with her jewelry, shoes, purses and even her eye glasses.  John fondly gave her the nickname “The Color B*#ch” many years ago, and she took great pride in living up to her name.  She loved shopping (especially through QVC) and was an avid reader of Kindle e-books on her tablet.  Like John, she loved working on her computer and considered herself to be quite “computer savvy.”

Last fall, Linda moved into Canterbury Court, an independent senior living community in Atlanta.  While only there a relatively short period time, she established many close relationships with many fellow residents and staff alike.

Linda is predeceased by her parents and her dear husband, John, with whom she celebrated 54 years of marriage. She will remain in the hearts of her son Matthew and his long-time partner, Henry Tieu, her daughter Lee and her husband, Edwin Nelson, and her grandchildren, Brian and Charlie Hazelwood.  Linda was very close to John’s dear sister, Maureen Sweeney, who passed away earlier this month.  She always considered John’s nieces and nephews and their families like her own children.  They include Kathleen and Scott Ashton, John and Ann Sweeney, Michael and Marie Sweeney, Mary Sweeney, and Eileen Sweeney.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at St Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Dunwoody, GA on Saturday, May 27^th at 11:00am with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to: St Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4755 North Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 or your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Georgia Cremation Duluth is assisting the family with end-of-life care arrangements.