Jean H. Cardina

On Friday, October 23, the world lost a spectacular light.

Her name was Jean Cardina; she was known as “Mom” to 8 children, “Gram” (or “Chammers” or “Gram Cracker”) to 22 grandchildren, and “Mimi” to 12 great-grandchildren. Richard, her husband of 58 years, affectionately called her “Hon” until he died in 2020. Jean was one of 7 children and is survived by brothers, Bing and David Hartzell, and her children: Keith; Karen (Don); Kelly; Amy (David); Andy (Jen); Shelly (John); Greg (Linda); Mike (Patty).

She was preceded in death by the goodest Cat-Dog there ever was.

Born in Gettysburg, Jean loved riding her bike up and down the battlefields. She was a friend to everyone she met. She married her high-school sweetheart, Robert Rorhbaugh. Tragically, Bob was killed in a car accident in 1960, leaving Jean a 22-year-old widow with 3 young children.

2 years later, Jean met and married Richard; over the next 15 years they added 5 more children and couldn’t have been prouder to march all 8 kids to the front pew for Sunday mass.

Over their decades, Jean and Richard were seldom apart. Their steady devotion to each other formed a family bound together by respect, good humor, and enduring love.

Jean perfected the art of hospitality. As mother, she was gentle, kind, faithful, patient. As homemaker, she opened her door to anyone in need of care, conversation, and a good meal. She was as judgmental as she was mechanical, which is to say: not at all.

Somehow between raising so many babies and grandbabies, she found time to plant and grow gardens so impressive and beautiful that they found their way into magazines. You never saw such lush, vibrant beauty; it was the stuff of fairytales.

In addition to her limitless capacity for love, she will be remembered most for her ability to drink fully caffeinated coffee at all hours of the day, her impeccable animal impressions (the cow in particular), and her one joke. That’s right; just one.

Jean was extraordinary and humble. She was comforting, kind, and wholly good. They don’t come better. She will be missed—and still, she will live on as her family continues to practice what she taught best: love, love, love. Moo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 150 Water St., New Holland. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. Private burial will be in Middle Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland, is in charge of arrangements. Online remembrances and condolences may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com