Mary Gini Virginia Kirkman Gardiner

Gini passed away at the age of 90, on October 16, 2010, in Alamosa, Colorado. She was born July 3, 1920, in Santaquin, Utah to George Kirkman and Emma Mary Greenhalgh. Gini was the cherished “baby” of the family (the youngest by 13 years), and very much loved by her older siblings: Sisters Verna, Clara, and Lynn, and brother Evelyn. Growing up on a farm in rural Utah held many special family memories for Gini. She attended Brigham Young University, receiving a degree in elementary education in 1942. While at BYU, she met and was courted by her future husband, John Gardiner, though WWII soon beckoned, and John began serving in the Army. John was somehow able to secure a 3-day pass, and he traveled to Utah and he and Gini were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 20, 1942. Soon John left to serve in the war, and was not able to return home to his darling Gini for 3 long years. John and Gini eventually ended up in Simi Valley, where John took a position as Vice Principal of Simi Valley High School. Gini kept very busy raising their four children, and then later worked as a Kindergarten teacher for 22 years, primarily at Big Springs Elementary School, influencing the lives of hundreds of children who still remember “Mrs. Gardiner”. Gini was a tireless worker at everything she did, had incredible homemaking skills, and was an excellent cook (a talent her family will always fondly remember). After retiring, John and Gini enjoyed serving for many years at the LDS Los Angeles Temple. Gini then valiantly cared for her husband as he suffered the ravages of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, until his death in 2001. During the next 9 years, Gini showed her amazing strength and legendary “will of iron” as she battled back from breast cancer, strokes, and 2 broken hips. Though Gini was a resident of Simi Valley since 1952, during the last three years of her life, she was lovingly cared for by daughter, Kathy, in Alamosa, Colorado. This past summer included a 90th birthday celebration for Gini, with all the family gathering to create some very special last memories. Gini will always be lovingly remembered for her many endearing qualities, but especially for her sparkling blue eyes, her infectious laugh, and her great love for her family. Gini’s children are filled with joy as they envision the loving reunion between their mother and father. Gini was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and husband, Dr. John S. Gardiner. She is survived by her children: John (Leila), Utah; Kathy (Loren), Colorado; Kirkman (Nanci), California; and Brooks, California; as well as her 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.