Anita Carden

Jan 15, 1936 -

Mar 6, 2020

Anita Cecile Stewart Carden died on March 6, 2020. Born on Jan. 15, 1936, in Peasleeville, N.Y., she was the oldest of Clifford and Jeanette Rule's eight children. She earned an RN degree from Russell Sage College. After working for years as a nurse, she applied her keen eye and esthetic taste to interior design. Returning to school, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University Alaska Anchorage in justice and worked for the Court System in Kotzebue, Alaska. Anita married Jim Carden in 1995. After Jim retired they spent a few years snow-birding between Alaska and Arizona, before settling in Green Valley, Ariz. Anita had a surprising taste for adventure: camping in the Brooks Range, Alaska; trekking around Mont Blanc, France; and kayaking in Belize are a few examples of her journeys.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her husband, Jim Carden; daughters, Tracy Stewart (Joe Imlach), Maria O'Brien (Richard), Allison Enters and Kristina Lawton (Christopher); stepchildren, Jay Carden (Dayna Demientieff) and Dawn Schuller (John); grandchildren, Gabe, Eyob and Kaleab Imlach, Robin and Rose Fox, Brad (Rachelle) and Amanda Enters, Josh and Zac Lawton, Kaiya Kruger, and Jonna and Carden Schuller; and great-grandchildren, Brayden Russell and Lena Enters. She is also survived by her siblings and their families: Joan Webster, David, Edward (Wanda), Allen (Ann), Michael (Mary), Adrian and Clifton (Lynne) Rule.

Jim and Anita enjoyed traveling across North America, towing their trailer, accompanied by their faithful dog Dory. Jim lovingly supported Anita while she courageously fought, and beat, two previous types of cancers. Leukemia, however, took her body. Her husband and daughters invite you to remember her vibrant spirit, which cancer could not conquer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Anita's favorite organization - Covenant House. Funeral arrangements pending.