14 Jan 1918 – 18 Sep 2014
Wife of Bartley Pratt Cardon
Charlotte Cardon died on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at Sunrise Senior Living in Tucson.
She was born January 14, 1918 in San Francisco, the only daughter of renowned Swiss-born Karl F. Meyer, microbe-hunter and epidemiologist and Mary Elizabeth Lindsay.
On December 17, 1939 she married Bartley Pratt Cardon (former Dean of the College of Agriculture, U of A). Bartley died in 2005.
Charlotte will be greatly missed by her children, Bartley Lowell Cardon (Lynn Simon), Joanne Lindsay Downey (Mason, deceased 1969), Christine Charlotte Kronick (Jonathan) and Mary Elizabeth de la Houssaye (Brian). She also leaves ten grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many friends.
Charlotte, during her high school years in California, spent time at The Desert Willow Ranch and thus began her deep love for Arizona and Southwest culture. She received a degree in archeology at the University of Arizona and was a member of Desert Riders, a group of 11 young women interested in horsemanship.
In the early years of marriage with the onset of war, Charlotte was faced with raising two young children on her own when Bartley was sent overseas. On his return, and with two additional children, she began to compose a life as wife, mother and writer. Her writing appeared in many periodicals and publications as well as the Homes and Architecture section of The Arizona Daily Star. She was an avid, wide-ranging reader, film buff, art collector and with Bartley, truly a world traveler.
She might possibly hold the record for the most university courses taken as a mature student. All who knew her were aware of her “busy mind” and strong-mindedness, as her advice to her children and many letters to newspaper editors would show.
As years went by and her children grew she became “Mutti” to family, friends and even many who barely knew her. Mutti took on a persona all her own. Charlotte’s children would most like “Mutti” remembered in the following way: She had a remarkable spirit of generosity; loved humor and was herself often hilarious. She was optimistic and energized by being with all the people she met and befriended. She was extremely bright with wide ranging interests and cared deeply for those less fortunate than herself.
Perhaps her greatest gift to her children was the way she approached old age with dignity and cheerfulness in the face of her changing circumstances. Her many, many letters to family and friends hold evidence of her full life, insatiable curiosity, and unique spirit.
Thank you to the staff of Sunrise for their loving care.
Burial will take place Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., at Binghampton Cemetery on N. Alvernon. A small gathering to remember Charlotte will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Sunrise at River, 4975 N. 1st Ave.
-Arrangements by HUDGEL’S SWAN FUNERAL HOME.
Binghampton Cemetery, Tucson, Arizona – Old Pioneer Cemetery
