Mildred W. Gardiner - Obituary

ildred Ann “Millie” Woodward Gardiner, 82, of Annapolis, MD passed away on Sunday, September 17 at the Ginger Cove Health Center surrounded by her family. Millie was born in Baltimore on December 6, 1940 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry (Lorraine) Woodward, III and grew up in Millersville and Severna Park. She was a 1958 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree of Education in 1962 from the Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. After graduating, Millie was an elementary school teacher in Anne Arundel County. She married Francis E. “Skip” Gardiner, Jr. on May 22, 1965 and retired from teaching in 1967 to become a stay-at-home Mom. In addition to the mutual affection with her parents, Millie was devoted to and remains beloved by her husband, children, siblings, and grandchildren. She enjoyed her family and friends and always loved seeing and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Millie’s interests included conducting genealogy research, delving into puzzles and sudoku, listening to the radio, raising sheep, and gardening, especially when the family lived at their Lord’s Bounty Farm in Lothian for many years. She also served as a volunteer for years at the AAMC Clothes Box and libraries located at St. Mary’s Elementary School and the South County Branch in Deale. Millie is survived by her husband of 58 years, Skip; her sons: Francis, III (Mitzi), Michael (Renée), James (Lisanna), and Timothy (Angela); her siblings: Henry Woodward, IV, James (Roseanne) Woodward, and Jane McMurray; and her grandchildren: Sam, Sarah, Victoria, Thomas, Andrew, Daniel, Valerie, Graham, Nicholas, and Amelia. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Millie's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Sunday, September 24 from 4PM to 7PM. Closing prayers will start at 6:45PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD on Monday, September 25 at 10:30AM. Interment will be private. Should you desire to do so, contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Ginger Cove Foundation, 4000 River Crescent Dr., Annapolis, MD 21401 in recognition of the loving care extended to Millie for many years. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.