Helene Lucienne Gardner

Helene Lucienne Gardner passed away on January 24, 2017. She was born on June 2, 1932 in Chateauroux (Indre) France to Madeleine and Edmund Lamy. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Jacques Lamy and his wife, Francette. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Charles Gardner; her sister, Anne-Marie and her husband, Denis Berrette; her daughter, Joelle Anne and her husband, Robert Bryne Lee; her son, Phillip and his wife, Deborah Gardner; four grandchildren, Nicolas Lee and his wife, Sheila, Gretchen Lee, Rebecca and her husband, Jacob Bauckman, Lindsay and her husband, Adam Newman; 4 great-grandchildren, Charlie and Piper Bauckman and Olivia and Callie Newman. She is also survived by many members of her very close French family of nieces and nephews.

Helene was first and foremost the loving wife to her husband and mother of her children upon whom she devoted her life. She was deeply loved and adored by her husband, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her second love in life was her interest and devotion to garden clubs, at all levels, local, district, state and National. She founded the local Colonial Heritage Garden Club. Helene was an avid garden club member and officer in garden clubs in Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. She was a Master Flower Show Judge. Her passion was arranging and teaching floral design. Helene will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She will always be remembered as the wonderful little lady with the quaint French accent. Au revoir ma cherie Helene, je t’aime, beaucoup, beaucoup et encore plus….a toute a l’heure.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg VA.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Williamsburg Botanical Garden in her name, 5537 Centerville Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.