Marcella Cardenas

It is with great sorrow and great love that the family of Marcella Cardenas, nee Maher announces her passing on Monday, March 22, 2021, at her home in Coldwater, Michigan. She passed away peacefully embraced by the loving care of her daughters, Janice Covert and Joan Cardenas. Marcella was 97 years old, having been born on July 4, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents were Hugh and Margaret Maher, nee McCluskey. Marcella grew up during the Great Depression and Second World War. She married her high school sweetheart, Henry (Hank) Cardenas in Aug 1942, shortly before he left for the war in March 1943. As part of the war effort, Marcella worked for Chrysler Corporation, performing office work related to the making of tanks. Tragically Marcella lost her only sibling, her brother James Hugh Maher during the war as he was killed in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest on December 6, 1944. Marcella loved her brother dearly. After the war, Hank and Marcella lived in Detroit until 1954 when they moved to Livonia, in a house Marcella lived in for 56 years. Marcella’s mother Margaret joined them in that house from 1954-1964 when she passed. Marcella was a homemaker who devoted herself lovingly to her husband and children. Marcella enjoyed bowling, tennis, golf, bridge, her cats and dogs, attending Detroit Lions games, and cooking. She was a fabulous cook. It was Hank’s mother, Eloise who taught Marcella how to cook authentic Mexican food. Hank worked for the Detroit News and through the News they went on many trips. They traveled to : Spain, France, Jamaica, England, Ireland (Marcella’s ancestral home), Brazil, Acapulco, Hawaii, Santa Domingo, the Bahamas, and Mexico (Hank’s ancestral home). Marcella particularly loved traveling to Orlando to vacation with their cherished daughter Joan who was an integral part of Marcella’s life. In 2010 Marcella moved to Coldwater to live with her daughter, Janice Covert and her husband Rob Covert. The three of them were inseparable and enjoyed many happy hours together, whether entertaining, or watching a movie, or sitting around a camp fire, or being out on the lake. Marcella became the matriarch of the family in 1998 when her beloved Henry passed. The fourth of July parties to celebrate her birthday were huge joyous family gatherings every year. Marcella had three children: Janice (Rob) Covert, Joan and James (Marysue). Marcella had six grandchildren: Jamie (Melissa) Covert, Randy (Maria) Covert, Jeffrey (Christine Doyle) Covert, Marisa (Tim) Tencate, Jesse (Raquel) Cardenas and Lisa (Alex) Fritz. She had nine great grandchildren Deven and Carter Covert; Alaina, Elizabeth and Joanna Tencate: Henry and Paul Fritz; and Eloise and Nora Cardenas. Marcella’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. She attended multitudes of their activities and was always a big part of their lives. Her love of sports, kindness of spirit and humbleness will be her legacy to them. Marcella’s brother-in-law, Jesse Soto, her sister-in-law Margarite Ingham, her daughter-in-law Marysue Cardenas, and her nieces Joyce Miltz and Hollie Cardenas showed great affection to her over the years. Marcella is now reunited with her beloved husband of 56 years Henry, her son James, her mother and her brother James. She was also preceded in death by her brother-in-law, William Cardenas and her father. There will be no visitation. A graveside service and burial will take place on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Marcella will be laid to rest in Parkview Cemetery in Livonia; next to her loving husband and beside her mother and brother. She will be missed but never forgotten. We will always carry her memory in our hearts. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation consider Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall, MI 49036. Condolences may be left online.