Martha R. Gardner

Born in West Lafayette, Indiana, Marti was the older child of Gordon W. and Esther Fowler Rosencrans. Eighteen months later her brother, Gordon, Jr. was born, and the close-knit, loving family was complete. Marti grew up in Rocky River and Upper Arlington, Ohio. She loved to dance and horseback ride and became an accomplished synchronized swimmer. She attended Purdue University, earning a degree in Institutional Management in December, 1942. While at Purdue, she met Wallace William Gardner (Wally), whom she married in June, 1943, and with whom she happily shared the next 44 years until his death in 1987. Following WWII, and for the next 25 years, the couple and their daughter, Margaret (Peggy), lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while Wally completed graduate studies and then taught at the University of Michigan. During those years, in addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Marti served as dietician for the Willow Run School District and attended school at night and during the summers, obtaining master’s degrees in elementary education and special education, fields in which she went on to teach. Later she served as a consultant with a special education/vocational rehabilitation project, designing and implementing on-the-job experiences for high school handicapped students. She ended her career in Michigan by organizing and implementing a high school program for teen-aged unwed mothers. In 1970 Marti and Wally moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Wally served on the faculty of the Business School at the University of Utah until his retirement in 1987. After their move, Marti turned to volunteerism with the same dedication and ability she had applied to the work force. In a span of 33 years, she gave over 4500 hours of service to the Intermountain Unit of Shriners Hospital for Children, organizing and administering the total volunteer program for the first 14 years. As one colleague noted, “You were not only the founder … but also its heart and soul.” Her love of serving Shriners led to membership in Ladies of the Oriental Shrine and Daughters of the Nile. After the death of her husband, she opened her home to the parents of Shriners Hospital patients, offering them not only bed and breakfast, but lots of TLC. Marti helped feed the homeless for many years at the “Chuck Wagon” as part of Eagle Ministries. In addition to serving others, her joys were her family, friends and a love of travel. How both she and Wally loved it when her family, but most especially their two grandchildren, Emily and Brian, would visit in the summer to take their annual trip to Lake Powell in southern Utah. What a gift it was to experience the beauty and peace of that awesome place. Four or five nights would be spent on the "Martha Jane," their houseboat. Marti would work feverishly in preparation, cooking all of the meals in advance, including chocolate, peanut butter swirl bars, so that the family could spend their time swimming, exploring and counting shooting stars from the upper deck where they rolled out their sleeping bags at night. Lake Powell will always be in their hearts and the very special place that will always belong to Marti and Wally.Marti saw the world, enthusiastically embracing each new place, always game to experience the local customs and people. With Wally, she enjoyed 2 ½ years in Taipei, Taiwan, and six months in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, through affiliation with the U of M and U of U, respectively. In addition to several tours with friends, she traveled with her daughter, Peggy, and son-in-law, Ron, to Russia and with them and her granddaughter, Emily, to Eastern Europe on choir tours through Peggy and Ron's church. One occasion in Russia is particularly remembered. The choir tour was sharing restaurant space with a wedding party. The music was lively, and a Russian gentleman took Marti's hand and led her to the dance floor. She was somewhat embarrassed but smiled and danced away. She always loved a party.In 2006, Marti moved east to be closer to her daughter and lived happily at Rosemont Presbyterian Village in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, until her death. Even though her memory and hearing were poor, her vision almost gone and her mobility limited, she remained ever positive, always offering a smile and a friendly hello to everyone who passed her open door. Her cup was always half-full no matter what the circumstances. How often she told her daughter, "I'm so glad you found this place for me." She was so grateful to be close to her family and to be able to participate in all the family activities and celebrations. She loved sitting in an Adirondack chair at her daughter and son-in-law's river house and feeling the breeze, listening to the birds and petting their black lab, Thatcher. When one of the family would join her, or her two great-grandsons, Evan and Matthew would run by, she was in heaven.Perhaps the words of a dear friend on the occasion of Marti’s presentation for honorary membership in the University of Utah Women’s Club, best characterize Marti: “I have never known anyone who gives so generously of time, talent and energy for her friends and family. She has an uncanny sense of when and where she is needed. When there is trouble, she is there to help. When the world looks black, her smile and good humor serve as a lifeline. She is never too busy to lend a helping hand, to ease a hurt.” Well done, thy good and faithful servant. Rest in the Lord.Memorial Contributions in memory of Martha R. Gardner may be made to:Shriners Hospital for Children Fairfax Road at Virginia Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84103