Hilda "Chickie" Gardiner

Hilda Ann “Chickie” Gardiner, 73, of Beverly Hills, FL, passed away on Tues., April 8, 2025 at Tampa General Hospital North in Crystal River, FL. A native of Cranston, R.I., she was born Oct. 26, 1951 to Anthony and Louise (Rubeira) Leitao, one of six children. Chickie, as she was known to everyone, was an expert tax consultant with H & R Block both in Rhode Island and Florida, a career that she enjoyed for 35 years. She moved to Beverly Hills in 2004 from Warwick, R.I. and was of the Roman Catholic faith. Chickie loved rabbits and visiting casinos, but especially loved all things Disney. Her perfect day would revolve around park hopping at Disney World with her son Jakob. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Rosemarie Celona and Maureen Leitao. Chickie is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Stephen Gardiner of Beverly Hills, FL; children Stephen Gardiner, Jr., Spring Hill, FL; Kimberley Gardiner, Beverly Hills, FL; Tony Gardiner (Eileen Whalen), Coventry, R.I.; Jakob Gardiner, Beverly Hills, FL and daughter-in-law Keri Lavaglio, Homosassa, FL; grandchildren Alexis Warren (Liam), Naples, FL; Stephen Gardiner III and Isabella Gardiner, both of Homosassa, FL; Andrew Miller and Rebecca Miller, both of Naples, FL; Cadence Repoza, Naples, FL; Kaitlyn and Lillyann Gardiner, Coventry, R.I.; John Jicha, Woodbridge, NJ and Shannon Jicha, Beverly Hills, FL; great grandchildren James Broderick, Norwich, CT and Avery Warren, Naples, FL and her sisters Donna Furtado, West Warwick, R.I., Diane Johnson (Donald), New Port Richey, FL and Patricia Lawrence (Keith Mahoney), Northport, FL. Chickie will be missed and loved always; her smile really lit up the room! Fero Funeral Home and Life Celebration Center, Beverly Hills, FL.