1939
Mary
2023
Mary Gardner
May 16, 1939 — August 14, 2023
Mary Grace (Clapsadle) Gardner, 84, of Newburg, passed away the evening of August 14, 2023 at her home. She had become bed-ridden toward the end of her life and developed cancer.
Mary Grace was born on May 16, 1939 in Chambersburg, a daughter of the late Fred and Sarah Grace Mackey Clapsadle. Most recently, Mary and her husband, Richard Gardner, attended the King Street United Brethren Church. Richard preceded Mary in death on March 24, 2015.
Mary was a 1957 graduate of Shippensburg High School. After high school, she married Richard on October 24, 1959, and they began farming on his father’s farm. They eventually purchased their own farm on Enola Road, Newburg, which they farmed until 1989. After that the two enjoyed creating crafts and selling them at craft fairs. Mary became a meticulous and talented painter in the folk-art style. She painted beautiful scenes on wood-worked pieces made by Richard.
When it came to card games with her family, Mary’s competitive streak came out in force. She loved to cook and discuss recipes and was a talented singer with a love for Christmas and classical music. She was generous, feisty, and quietly – almost sneakily – funny, always ready with a clever quip.
Mary and Richard loved traveling. They explored many places across the United States, including Alaska on two occasions. On one trip, they traveled 9,000 miles around the U.S. in a 3-week period. They also traveled to Europe, Canada and cruised to Alaska. They always said that they never regretted any of their travels, and the trips provided many happy memories for Mary after Richard passed away.
She is survived by four daughters: Tammy Gardner (Tom Del Savio) of Portland, Oregon; Tina Gray of Newburg; Lynne Alwine of Woodland Park, Colorado; and Leann Jonas of Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Nine grandchildren mourn her passing: Mary, Jacob, and Anna Del Savio; Chancellor, Agusta, and Gardner Gray; Taylor Alwine Fairchild (Tyler); and Eleanor and Max Jonas. Mary also had three great-grandchildren: Collette Fairchild, Dante Keith, and Nevaeh Gray; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by her four siblings: Francis Clapsadle, Roseanne Trimble, Alberta McKenrick, and Gladys Clapsadle, as well as her son-in-law, Kirk Gray.
Mary’s lap dog Bear, ice cream, and her caregivers, Jeanetta, Lawanna and Michele, provided comfort and laughter in her final months.
Mary’s graveside service and viewing will be held privately. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband in the Spring Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held this fall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org/donate.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com
Mary Grace was born on May 16, 1939 in Chambersburg, a daughter of the late Fred and Sarah Grace Mackey Clapsadle. Most recently, Mary and her husband, Richard Gardner, attended the King Street United Brethren Church. Richard preceded Mary in death on March 24, 2015.
Mary was a 1957 graduate of Shippensburg High School. After high school, she married Richard on October 24, 1959, and they began farming on his father’s farm. They eventually purchased their own farm on Enola Road, Newburg, which they farmed until 1989. After that the two enjoyed creating crafts and selling them at craft fairs. Mary became a meticulous and talented painter in the folk-art style. She painted beautiful scenes on wood-worked pieces made by Richard.
When it came to card games with her family, Mary’s competitive streak came out in force. She loved to cook and discuss recipes and was a talented singer with a love for Christmas and classical music. She was generous, feisty, and quietly – almost sneakily – funny, always ready with a clever quip.
Mary and Richard loved traveling. They explored many places across the United States, including Alaska on two occasions. On one trip, they traveled 9,000 miles around the U.S. in a 3-week period. They also traveled to Europe, Canada and cruised to Alaska. They always said that they never regretted any of their travels, and the trips provided many happy memories for Mary after Richard passed away.
She is survived by four daughters: Tammy Gardner (Tom Del Savio) of Portland, Oregon; Tina Gray of Newburg; Lynne Alwine of Woodland Park, Colorado; and Leann Jonas of Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Nine grandchildren mourn her passing: Mary, Jacob, and Anna Del Savio; Chancellor, Agusta, and Gardner Gray; Taylor Alwine Fairchild (Tyler); and Eleanor and Max Jonas. Mary also had three great-grandchildren: Collette Fairchild, Dante Keith, and Nevaeh Gray; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by her four siblings: Francis Clapsadle, Roseanne Trimble, Alberta McKenrick, and Gladys Clapsadle, as well as her son-in-law, Kirk Gray.
Mary’s lap dog Bear, ice cream, and her caregivers, Jeanetta, Lawanna and Michele, provided comfort and laughter in her final months.
Mary’s graveside service and viewing will be held privately. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband in the Spring Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held this fall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org/donate.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Gardner, please visit our flower store.
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