Mrs. Susan (Edwards) Gardner, a long-time resident of Andover and adored wife of George D. Gardner, passed away at Lawrence Hospital on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. She was 77 years old.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sue was the beloved daughter of the late Alvin and Margaret (Mitchell) Edwards. She was a graduate of Kent State University and earned her Master of Education degree from Lesley University. Her life was devoted to the education of children. Through decades of teaching, raising her three children, and helping to nurture her six grandchildren, she was a quintessential force of compassion, intelligence, acceptance, and encouragement. Her superpower was empowering others to rise to their potential. Sue’s generosity and kindness were unmatched, as was her remarkable ability to find the good in people. Her friendships meant the world to her. Whether it was her pen pal since grade school, her first roommate from college, or someone she just met; if Sue could be of support or service, you could depend on her unconditionally.
Left to carry on her legacy are her husband of 53 years, George; her children, Shannon and her husband, Steve Vukosa of Quincy, Jonathan and his wife, Nicole Gardner of Los Angeles, California, and Megan and her husband, Sean MacKay of North Andover; brother, Thomas Edwards and his wife, Annie Wassmann of Spring Lake, Michigan; sister-in-law, Laurie, and husband Michael Mortimer, of Delaware, Ohio; grandchildren, Samantha, Tate and Nolan Vukosa, Dylan and Parker MacKay, and Matilda Gardner; and all of her former students who will forever hold memories of the irreplaceable, “Mrs. Gardner.” To best honor the memory of Sue’s generous spirit, we encourage you to do a random act of kindness whenever she comes to mind.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11 AM. Calling hours will be held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 4 to 8 PM. Interment will be at a later date with a celebration of life ceremony. Donations in Sue's memory may be made to MA Head Start: https://massheadstart.org/ or Cradles to Crayons Boston: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.