Judith Ann Carden

Judith (Judy) Ann Carden passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025. She was born on October 22, 1940, in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Bart and Hildegarde (Kelly) Carden. She spent her childhood and teenage years in New Jersey, first in Little Ferry and then Bergenfield. Some of her happiest childhood memories were visits back to Scranton to see her grandparents, Mary “Maime” Carden and Ambrose and Beatrice (Barrett) Kelly; summer adventures with her sister and friends at Moosic Lake in Pennsylvania; and family vacations at her beloved Jersey Shore, a place that remained dear to her throughout her life.

Judy was an accomplished and dedicated nurse. She earned her nursing degree from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1962 and began her career at Temple University Hospital. After a few years, with courage and ambition, she took her nursing skills out west for a new adventure, first to San Francisco and then to Los Angeles, where she spent most of her adult life. At UCLA Medical Center, she found her professional calling, ultimately becoming a Clinical Research Nurse on the front lines of the fight against the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. Her career at UCLA spanned nearly 40 years and was a source of great pride.

As retirement approached, Judy welcomed her mother, Hilda, who moved from New Jersey to California to live with her. The two found great joy in this chapter together—attending church, shopping, cheering on the LA Lakers, and, most of all, cooking side by side in Judy’s kitchen.

Judy enjoyed listening to music, telling stories, walking on the Pacific Palisades, being with friends and family, and traveling. As a young woman, she ventured to Europe with good friends, and later, she loved taking frequent trips to Mexico with her close friend, Diane.

Judy was a two-time cancer survivor, having bravely battled both ovarian and breast cancer. She leaned on the steadfast support of many close friends, especially Kauser and Louise, who walked with her through those difficult times. Judy continued her career-long investment in health research by volunteering her time for the Athena Health Network Wisdom Study to promote screening for breast cancer.

Above all, Judy’s closest bond was with her sister, Mary. Just 10 months and three weeks apart, they remained deeply connected throughout their lives. Judy delighted in being an aunt to Mary’s children—Patrick, Katie, and Kerry—serving as a role model and playing a central part in their lives. Special New Year’s Eve celebrations with her nieces and nephew remain treasured memories.

In recent years, Judy moved to Ashburn, Virginia, to be near Mary and to spend more time with family, including her beloved grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Though she always loved California, she treasured being back east to celebrate family milestones and holidays together.

Judy was predeceased by her mother, Hilda (Kelly) Carden, her father Bart Carden, and her brother Bart Carden. She is survived by her sister, Mary (Carden) Kedian; her nephew, Patrick; her nieces, Katie (Matt) and Kerry (Steve); her grand-nephews and grand-nieces; and countless friends whose lives she touched. Judy’s laughter, her radiant spark whenever she entered a room, and her boundless love for family and friends will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.