Margaret Ann “Sis” Harrod-wardell

- Margaret Ann Harrod-wardell passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning, February 18, 2024 at her home in Bobcat Trail, North Port, FL at the age of 81. Margaret also lived in Circleville, OH during the summer months. She was also known as “Sis” to a number of life-long dear friends and family.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband of almost 36 years, John Lloyd Wardell. She is also survived by her step-children: Tamara (Wardell) Lansinger, Tara Wardell, and Jennifer (Todd) Rowland; her sister-in-law, Linda (Wardell) Mallory; her dear niece, Angie (Harrod) & Mark Osborn; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Maggie & Lecompte Harrod of New Castle, KY, and brother, Jack Harrod of Roswell, GA. She is also survived by many cousins in the Taylor & Harrod families in Kentucky. Margaret is also survived by her God children, Sarah (Greathouse) Clendenin & Justin Greathouse.

Margaret was born in Jeffersonville, IN, on September 10, 1942. She graduated from New Washington High School (Indiana) and attended Indiana State University. Margaret found her career in the It/computer world founding a company (DPI) for computer services with her brother and sister-in-law. It was through this contract work for the Ohio Education Association (OEA) that Margaret met and later married the love of her life, John Wardell, who also provided IT and computer services work for OEA in Columbus, OH. Margaret and John were married June 18, 1988, in a sunset country wedding at her mother’s home in New Castle, KY, followed by their honeymoon in Hawaii.

NORTH PORT

Margaret and John continued working for OEA until their retirement (John in 1996, Margaret in 2001). During her years with OEA, Margaret’s sense of fairness and advocacy for fair treatment brought her to become a fierce but fair advocate for the Ohio Associate Staff Union (OASU). She served on the OASU negotiations team and became President of OASU for 15 years until her retirement. She also became a sought-after trainer in union advocacy across the country for the National Staff Organization (NSO). Margaret and John’s advocacy continued after retirement by helping to found the Coalition of Retired Employees of the Ohio Education Association (CORE of OEA).

Margaret and John’s Florida home is in Bobcat Trail in North Port. Margaret served for 13 years as Secretary and web master for the Fairway Commons Association, governing a group of homes in the community. Margaret and John enjoyed life together; camping, traveling, playing softball, bowling, dancing, golfing, playing card games, and just spending time with friends and family.

Margaret forged lifelong friendships who also mourn the loss of their dear friend. This note is from Barb Holder: “Sis was the most caring, loving and honest best friend you could ask for, from the second grade and all through life, until the last words we shared was I love you.”

And from lifelong friend Judy Greathouse: “My thoughts have been a jumble of memories these past two days. We were the perfect example of Yin and Yang. She was the truest and most constant friend I’ve ever known. I loved her, her strength, her love for life, her wisdom, humor and how much she cherished her family, my family & her friends. I’m honored to have had her in my life. She has, and always will be, a Sis to me.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at Prewitt Funeral Home in New Castle, KY at 2PM on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Burial will follow in New Castle Cemetery. Friends may visit from 12 Noon until service time on Tuesday.