Isabel Carden
1952 – 2024

 

The Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden mourns the death of our Board Member and Patron, Isabel Carden MBE, a corporate pioneer and dedicated philanthropist.

 

Following a successful business career as one of the first women to work on the floor of the London Stock Exchange, her life took a profound turn after a close friend was killed on 9/11. She then became very involved with the development of the Garden to honor the 250 commonwealth citizens lost in the attacks.  For the past 15 years, Carden led the development and operation of the Garden, where she was instrumental in the project's $10 million fundraising campaign and forged enduring bonds with many of the victims’ families.

 

She was very involved in welcoming Queen Elizabeth II for the garden’s official opening in 2010 and worked closely with the NYC Parks Department, NYPD, and NYFD to protect and maintain the memorial, ensuring it honored the victims with grace and dignity. She also managed the relationship with King Charles III and his office for the nearly 20 years that he was the patron of the Garden.

 

Carden remained a volunteer throughout her tenure at the garden. Her remarkable efforts on the memorial earned her the Member of the British Empire award—one of the highest honors bestowed by the British Crown. 

 

The staff and Directors of the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden join with Isabel’s family and friends in mourning her loss.

​

– The Board of Directors of the Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden.