Constance Rae (Connie) Cartmell

Cartmell

Constance Rae (Connie) Cartmell, 83, of Marietta, Ohio, experienced her final sunset peacefully on the evening of May 5, 2026, surrounded by what she loved most: her family.

Connie was born on May 22, 1942, to Robert Eldon and Eleanor (Gecsey) Whitmore. She grew up in Ashland, Ohio, and attended Ohio University, where she studied journalism and met her husband of 63 years, Dr. Ohlen P. Cartmell.

Connie wrote for the Marietta Times for nearly two decades and was known for her intelligent and heartfelt writing style, as well as for her book, Ghosts of Marietta. Connie expressed her love of travel, nature, and her family via endless pictures, all of which she shared with anyone who had the good fortune to know her. She never met a stranger. Everyone whose life she touched will remember her for her home that felt like yours, her unflappable kindness and generosity, and her love of a good rock.

Connie is survived by her husband, Dr. Ohlen P. Cartmell; her four children, Ohlen C. Cartmell (Megin Reed), Jason Cartmell (Kate Pressel), Christina Tindall (Kevin Tindall), and Dr. Allison Cartmell Emmerson (Nathaniel Emmerson), and her grandchildren, Zachary Reed, Corina Reed, Isaac Reed, Gracie Cartmell, Jack Tindall, Darby Cartmell, Finn Tindall, Stephanie Reed, and most recently, to her endless delight just this past September, her newest, Elena Emmerson. She is also survived by her brother, Robert “Brooks” Whitmore, his wife, Jennifer Whitmore, her aunt Pat (Whitmore) Dean, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews who all loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Eleanor Whitmore; her brother, David Whitmore; and her grandson, Aaron Reed.

A funeral will be held on Monday, May 11 at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home. Visiting hours will be from 1:00-3:00, with the service beginning at 3:00. Connie loved color, and requested that attendees not wear black.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation in honor of Aaron Reed.