Fernande C. Gardner, 84, of Manchester, died February 24, 2009, at Catholic Medical Center after a brief illness.
She was born in Manchester, October 12, 1924 and was the daughter of Felix and Delphine (Bergeron) Aubin. She was a graduate of St. Marie High School.
Mrs. Gardner had been employed by L’Association Canado Americaine for several years. She had been a very active member of the former St. John the Baptist Church.
Fern was honored by the National Association of Mental Illness for the State of NH in 1999 with the first Gardner Award for her many years of dedicated service.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed playing bingo and other games and her favorite movie was Anne of Green Gables.
She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Edouard N. Gardner, who died in 2004 and by a daughter, Patricia Katsikas, who died one hour before her.
She leaves seven daughters, Claudette Gelfand and her husband, Barry, of Florida, Mariette Gardner of Goffstown, Suzanne Fortier and her husband, Leonard, of Vermont, Denise Bilodeau of Manchester, Claire Bouchard and her husband, Dave, of Weare, Jeanne King and her husband, Charles, of Manchester, and Louise Gardner of Manchester; 4 sons, Joseph Gardner of Manchester, George Gardner and his wife, Barbara, of Franklin, Richard Gardner and his wife, Kim, of Walpole, and Edouard Gardner of Manchester; 22 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; three brothers, Gerry Aubin of Goffstown, Albert Aubin of Manchester, and Ray Aubin of Maryland; many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by a brother, Roger Aubin.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Parish of the Transfiguration, Kelley St., Manchester. After cremation burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Medical Center, Palliative Care Program, Attn: Philanthropy Dept., 100 McGregor St., Manchester, NH 03102