Tyba Lee "Toddie" Gardner, 100, of Houston, Texas, passed February 15, 2026. Toddie was born to Frank Freid and Eva Kattleman Freid on June 3, 1925, in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Austin High School in 1942 and learned to play the bagpipes while a member of the Scottish Brigade Drill Squad. She spent time volunteering to aid wounded soldiers returning from WWII. Toddie spent two years at the University of Houston and made many friends. She married Sam Gardner, a decorated B-17 navigator, in 1946, and they lived together in Houston. Together they raised 2 children, Don and Leah.
She is survived by her son and daughter. She also leaves to cherish her memory many nieces and nephews and countless people whose lives her kind and positive disposition touched.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and husband.
Toddie and Sam were married for fifty years before his life was cut short in a car accident.
Toddie worked with Sam in their business, Gardner Blue Haven Pools, for many years.
She helped to organize the Houston Zoo Docent Organization and served as president several times. She stayed with that group for 31 years and loved working with the children and animals.
There will be a graveside ceremony Monday, February 23rd, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale, located at 6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX 77023.
Rabbi Josh Fixler will be the officiate. Richard Kean will close the ceremony on the bagpipes. The family requests that donations be made to Armand Bayou Nature Center, located at 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena, Texas 77507, or Coastal Prairie Conservancy at www.coastalprairieconservancy.org.
The family would also like to thank Alicia, Connie and Arturo, Arnold, Myer, Marisol, Delorean, Paula, Katie, Laura, Alfred, Eugenia, and many others who were kind and caring.
Her life was a blessing to those who knew her.
Children and animals felt her love the most.
She will be missed.
