Mary Beth Van Arsdol, my mom, mentor, and best friend passed away Monday, August 19th, at the age of 75 after a two-year battle with cancer and the many complications that go along with this horrendous disease.
Mary Beth was preceded in death by her grandson, Grant Madden; her parents, Ruth and Wilbur Conway; and her sister, Carolyn Sue. She is survived by her husband, William Jeff Van Arsdol; daughter, Amy Beth Madden (husband Jayson); granddaughters Eliza Ruth and Gabriella Beth. She has two sisters, Sylvia Conway Narula (husband Mohan) and Nancy Brausa. Mary Beth was especially close to her niece, Dorothy Shopp (husband Rick) and their son, Josh Shopp (wife Jasmin) and their girls. We are a small family made up of very strong women (just ask Jayson and Rick), and the current generation is no exception!
My mom grew up in New Castle, IN. She was the youngest of the four girls, and the closest thing Wilbur had to a son (mom was a self-proclaimed tomboy). After graduating from New Castle Chrysler High School, she studied at Ball State but did not finish. She then went to work at Modernfold, where she met Harriett Van Arsdol. My grandma then introduced Mom to her son, Jeff, an agriculture student at Purdue. They were wed on Oct 9, 1965. It was a family joke that grandma regretted introducing the two of them as mom was a strong, determined, and fiercely independent woman. Fifty-four years of marriage proved that Harriett made the correct decision, although I doubt that mom would ever give her any credit. Jayson likes to tell the joke my mom shared with him on many occasions. What is the difference between in-laws and out-laws? Out-laws are wanted…haaaa
Mary Beth had several careers. After marriage, she became a school secretary first at Hamilton South Eastern and then Blue River Valley Elementary School. While working at Blue River, she and Jeff were also farmers. When they adopted Amy in 1976, Mary Beth chose to become a stay at home mom. She also watched Josh when Dorothy went back to work, thus solidifying their special relationship and Josh’s love of her homemade noodles. Mom eventually went back to work as well, settling in human resources again at Modernfold. Before Modernfold moved their headquarters from New Castle to Greenfield, she and her business partner Cary Plummer, left and founded Alpha Placement Services in 2001. It was a courageous and exciting opportunity. I had never been prouder of my mom! Many small businesses fail within the first three years, but Alpha survived the horrendous events of September 11th and the resulting recession. It then endured the tough economic times that hit in 2008-2009. Because of her perseverance (aka stubbornness), loyalty to her customers, and desire to help people, she was able to turn Alpha over to me in July 2018. It was something that we had hoped to do together, but unfortunately God had other plans for both of us.
Mary Beth adored her granddaughters. She was able to help raise both girls while she grew Alpha. They were always at her side, often visiting customers with Nana. Taking over Alpha has allowed me to do much of the same. It also allowed me to be Mom’s caregiver. It has been a very special gift. Mom attended every athletic event, choir concert, school convocation, 4H show, and so much more. She was and always will be their biggest fan. She challenged my girls and loved them fiercely in ways that only a Nana can do. I’ve always said that I was blessed with the best grandma (Gaga), Ruth Conway, so my mom learned from the best. I only wish that my girls would have had more time with her.
While her greatest joys came from family, family also brought the pronounced heart aches. The unexpected loss of her grandson, Grant, in 2011, and the deterioration of my dad due to dementia were tough for a woman always striving to be in control. It was then a huge blow when mom was diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Day 2017. The surgeon told me she would not live three weeks, and in typical Mary Beth fashion, she surprised them all. We are markedly thankful for Dr. Reumu Birhiray, mom’s oncologist, and then the staff at Henry County Hospital, who provided amazing care to her and to us during her final hours.
Please join us to share stories, tears, and lots of love on Monday, August 26th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. A memorial service will follow at 6:00 PM. You may express condolences or share a memory of Mary Beth at
www.hinsey-brown.com
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