Maryjane Gardner

Waterford — Maryjane Elsie Gardner, of Waterford, passed away Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London after a courageous struggle with congestive heart failure.

She was born April 26, 1951, in New London to Joseph Edward Francis and Elsie Alexandra (Shabunia) Francis. Maryjane graduated East Lyme High in 1970 and went to work at Two Guys department store as a cashier and later in the jewelry department.

In 1972 she married her high school sweetheart, George L. Gardner, and they set off on a 46-year journey of life and love. She is also survived by her daughter, Lynn, whom she was super proud of in every way and loved dearly.

She was a skilled craftsperson dabbling in ceramics and tole painting, and she became a very good quilter. A modest and unassuming woman, she once casually entered quilted items at a fair and won multiple ribbons. Appalled at the idea she may have hurt the feelings of local contributors, she never again entered a judged contest.

A skilled cook, she enjoyed hosting noisy holiday family gatherings and produced trays of delectable cookies, endless jars of jams and lovely pies.

In addition to her husband and daughter she is survived by James Antill, Lynn’s husband, sister Marilyn Burleson of New London, sister Diana MacDonald and her husband, William, two nephews George and Lee Burleson of New London, and niece Jennifer MacDonald of New London.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org, or the National Diabetes Association, www. diabetes.org.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Ave., Niantic, CT 06357. Burial will be private.

For online condolence, please visit www.fultontherouxniantic.com.