Hattie Elizabeth “Liz” Gardner

– Hattie Elizabeth “Liz” Gardner, 88, passed away on Friday, December 3rd in Scottsdale, Arizona. Liz was born in Pryor, Oklahoma on April 22, 1933 to Tony and Lily May Bedwell. Liz was the third of eight children.

Liz graduated from Gans High School in 1951. She attended St. Edward School of Nursing in Fort Smith, Arkansas from 1954 to 1957 then completed anesthesia training in Michigan and continued to work as an anesthetist after moving to Phoenix in 1959. She continued her nursing career for several years at the former Good Samaritan Hospital and at Maricopa County Hospital in Phoenix before retiring to spend more time with her family.

Liz married Jack Gardner in 1960, and over their 48 years of marriage, they had three children and three grandchildren. The family spent quality time camping in the White Mountains, boating on Arizona lakes, and road trips exploring the Western U.S. A favorite past time was gathering with friends and family at the cabin near Payson.

Liz was sweet, kind, and nurturing. She was a gardener in the true sense of the word, growing roses, fruits, vegetables, and varying houseplants. She will be remembered for her wit, sense of humor, and caring spirit, as well as her love of reading, painting, and dogs.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her son, Steve; her parents; and her brothers Albert, Rowe, and Tony. She is survived by her son, John (Marybeth); her daughter, Laurie; her grandchildren, Jessica, Anthony, and Matthew; and her siblings, Adeline, John, Mary, and Brian.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on December 18th at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Road, in Scottsdale.