Steven Gissendanner

Beloved husband, teacher and friend. Steven ("Giss", "Mr. G") Gissendanner, of Greene County, left this life on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Steve grew up in Annandale, VA and studied at VA Tech and Antioch College before starting his own business, Dogwood Landscaping in Greene County. After many years behind a wheelbarrow he continued his education at James Madison University and became a teacher. Steve taught for 21 years in the Albemarle County Schools, first at Broadus Wood Elementary in Earlysville, then for many years at Woodbrook Elementary, and finally at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School in Ivy. He loved teaching and, as a former President of the Albemarle Education Association, was a fierce advocate for teachers, students, and the public school system. His legacy will live on through all the children to whom he taught that it was okay to be wrong, as long as you learned something. He was a master of origami and shared this passion with countless children and adults. He found great joy tending gardens of vegetables and flowers and, more importantly, the gardens of young minds. He is survived by his husband, Stephen Hanna; his niece and foster daughter, Melody Miick-Hanna; nephews, Aron and Griffin Hanna; his brothers Tom and Jon Gissendanner and their wives; and many Gissendanner nieces. A memorial celebration is being planned for March 23rd. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local PBS station.