Carla Kelly Harden

Carla Ann Kelly Harden of Barnstable passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 after a lengthy illness. She was born in Scarsdale, NY in 1936, daughter of the late Aubry Davis Kelly and Eleanor (Stumpf) Kelly.

Growing up, Carla spent as much time on the water as she could, sailing out of the Larchmont Yacht Club in New York and teaching sailing on the Charles W. Morgan in Mystic Connecticut. At the University of Wisconsin, she was on the sailing team that won the Intercollegiate National Sailing Championship in Newport California. She was also an avid tennis player, playing for years in the South Shore Women’s Tennis League and at the Barnstable Yacht Club. Carla was an active member of the Barnstable Historical Society where she helped to establish their first museum. She also managed the family arts and antiques business, Harden Studios, in Barnstable Village. She was a fixture as a winning skipper at races and regattas at the BYC and around New England, passing on her love for the water to all who knew her.

Carla attended Centenary Junior College, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Geneva and Parsons School of Design. During her time in Switzerland, she traveled extensively across Europe and North Africa, but it was while studying Interior Architecture and Design at Parson’s in New York City that she met her husband and love of her life, Mike Harden. She and Mike were married at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis on November 30, 1963 in the midst of the JFK events. They lived in New York City and Scituate MA, summering in Barnstable until they finally moved down full time in 1990.

Carla’s biggest love was for her 5 boys (6 if you include Brian Ackell, 7 if you include Mike) and their extended friends and families. Often described as the “nicest person in the world,” she would typically host about 17 for room and board during the summer months, and even more on the weekends. Her ability to provide for so many people and make it look effortless was truly remarkable.

Carla is survived by her sisters Carol Hopkins and Connie Ackell, her beloved husband Mike, their 5 sons: Aubry, Charles (Megan), Justin (Nora), Will (Claire), Brad (Michelle), 11 grandchildren: Olivia, Sabrina, Emma, Jennifer, Michael, Amy, Finn, Lila, Neve, Sean, and Tessa, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main Street, Hyannis MA on Monday October 2, 2017 between 4-7 PM. Funeral Mass will be at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South Street, Hyannis MA on Tuesday October 3, 2017 at 11 AM.