Ann was born in Washington D.C. and attended public schools in Northwest Washington until graduating from Coolidge High School in 1957. She attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida for two years before transferring to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where she first earned a BA in English Literature and went on to earn a Masters in Library Science.
Ann joined the Library of Congress as an intern in 1964 and was hired as a reference librarian in 1965. At the time of her recognition for thirty years of federal service, Ann was serving as the chief processor and bibliographer of the Main Reading Room reference collection which comprised over 70,000 volumes. Her early work included the creation of an author/title card catalog for the collection. That catalog would provide data for the Library of Congress’ adoption of an online database in the early 1990s.
In her private life, Ann was an Arts aficionado. She was known for her love of ballet and orchestral performances. Her proximity to The Kennedy Center afforded her a lifelong opportunity to enjoy the talents offered on their stages. She supported local arts endeavors including The American Ballet Theatre, National Symphony Orchestra, The Washington Savoyards (in recognition of Ann’s devotion to Gilbert & Sullivan), and the Arena Stage. Her philanthropy extended to the Smithsonian Institute in particular and to countless local, national and international organizations that combat hunger, illness and animal cruelty.
Ann Gardner ushered in the New Year on January 1st, 1977 with her marriage to Donald Malone thus expanding her family and heart to include his two daughters. She will be remembered for her signature wry wit, her loyal friendship, her devotion to her husband of 47 years, and her many acts of love and caring to those who knew her.
She is survived by her husband, Don Malone; her stepdaughters, Jeannette Hayes (married to Troy Hayes); Patricia Malone and Matthew Cantello, parents of her step-grandson Tristan Cantello; first cousins Alan and Arline Fraser and their three children and eleven grandchildren; God-daughter Susan Szymanski (married to Eric); Linda Bedingfield (married to Ken); and Paul Fraser (married to Marcela).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Library of Congress at the link below. Ann’s family and friends at the Library of Congress provided the names of three special funds below the link that may be selected to honor Ann’s personal impact on the Library of Congress and her twin passions for performing arts and literature. https://www.loc.gov/philanthropy/online-donation/fund The Marvin W. McFarland Fund supports the Science & Business Reading Room in which Ann worked beginning in 1967 through numerous library re-organizations. She was known to many as the Mother hen of its reference collection.
Friends of Music supports the growth, advancement and universal accessibility of its unparalleled performing arts programs. Center for the Book John Y. Cole and Nancy E. Gwinn Fund promotes literacy, libraries and reading and an understanding of the history and heritage of American Literature.
