Gail Gardner

LINCOLN - Gail M. Gardner, 72, wife of William T. Gardner, passed away Sept 20, 2011 at their summer home on the Big Narrows. She was born July 20, 1939, in Lincoln, the daughter of William and Stella (Drake) Stanley. After graduating from Mattanawcook Academy in 1957, Gail went on to complete her technical training in hairdressing and received her diploma from Eastern Academy School of Hairdressing.

As an active, devoted member of the First Congregational Church of Lincoln, Gail served as a Deacon and participated in various roles such as being on the pastoral relations, annual Christmas bazaar, rummage sale and hospitality committees. She was a past president of the Pilgrims Daughters and helped with the annual River Drivers Supper. She was also a member of, and past Worthy Matron of the Lincoln Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Her interests and passion didn't stop at her church. She cared deeply for her community as well. She served on the Lincoln homecoming committee, the Miss Greater Lincoln Pageant committee, donated many beautician hours serving the elderly and was instrumental in starting the MA sports booster club as she was an avid sports fan. She also served as Vice President of the Mattanawcook Academy Alumni Association for many years and was a 2010 co-grand marshal of the annual Lincoln Homecoming parade. Further interests included being a neighborhood mom to Tom and Scott's many friends in their younger years, being a member of the Lincolnfieldpals Red Hat Society #7786, golfing with girlfriends, baking for any reason going, painting, woodcarving, knitting, quilting, gardening, shopping, picking berries, going to plays in NYC and caring for their home and camp. Along with her husband Bill, Gail enjoyed many hours watching the Red Sox and Patriots, fishing up at Big Black,skiing, tennis, bowling, snowmobiling, traveling and spending time at the lake, creating lifelong friendships. One of her greatest joys was having her grandchildren drop in at grandma's for a visit and to get home cooked goodies.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by son Thomas & Michelle, their children, Tyler and Julia, Shey, and Rianne; and son Scott and Amy and their children, Audrey, William, Parker, and Max; brother, Dale Stanley and Darlene and their children Terri, Steve and Rusty; sister Lorna Gordon and Blaine and their children, Jamie, Wade, and Brad. Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln, where funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Darrell Joiner officiating. Interment will be in Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gail Gardner Scholarship in her memory at Mattanawcook Academy. Donations may be left at the funeral home.