Mary Rebecca Carpenter, 87, of Whitehall, Ohio, passed away on January 16, 2026, surrounded by her children.

"Becky" to her family and "Grandma Froggy" to her grandchildren, Mary was born in 1938 in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Paul Porter Francis and Ruth Hollis. She grew up with five siblings and was especially close to her sister, Nancy, who was just ten months older.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Julie Carpenter and Susan (Dave) Markstein; her grandchildren, Erin O'Leary, Megan Wesson, Auna O'Leary, Sam (Jill) Wyder, and Hannah Wyder; and her great-grandchildren, Noah Wyder, Grace Wyder, and Lily Wesson. Also surviving are her siblings, Nancy, Steve, Ed, and Debbie; several nieces and nephews; and her dear friends Judy Petticord, Laura Dunham, Jeremy Beeton, and Harry Coddington.

She is preceded in death by her son, John Carpenter. Mary and John cared for one another for more than sixty years—they were rarely separated. We believe she died of a broken heart after losing John just a month earlier. She is also preceded by her parents; sister Holly; nephews Rob Jividen, Kris Jividen, and Andy Knapp; and her grandson Ben Wyder.

Mary loved to cook, and among her family, she was most famous for her chicken and noodles, chocolate fudge, and caramels. She shipped them (in bulk!), unannounced, to her family members whenever she was in a baking mood. She was an avid fan of Ohio State football and a lifelong learner—she enjoyed nonfiction books and documentary films. She was a gifted artist with a keen sense of humor, and her favorite place to be was by the ocean. Mary loved to do adventurous things with her grandchildren. She wouldn't watch you go down the waterslide—she could always be counted on to go down it with you.

Mary's family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to consider honoring her memory with a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, an organization that supports families of children hospitalized for extended periods.