Mary Sue McKenzie Gardner

She was born on December 14, 1944 in Lumberton, NC and was the daughter of the late Hugh Arch “Bill” McKenzie, Jr. and the late Mary Magadalene Sides McKenzie. She graduated from Hoke County High School in Raeford, NC in 1963 and from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC in 1967.

Sue spent her 30 year career dedicated to children by working in the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system as a Media Specialist at Long Creek Elementary School in Huntersville. She was a passionate lover of animals which is why at one time she had 6 dogs and 3 cats. She spent decades volunteering her time at the Carolina Raptor Center where she led educational programs and transported injured birds of prey to safety. Sue also contributed to the research of birds via her volunteer work with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.

Sue was a past member of the Charlotte Community Drummers, an ensemble that plays traditional African music. She enjoyed going to the drumming camps in the mountains. She was a member of the Belmont YMCA and worked there faithfully as well as walking for exercise whenever she was birding.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Robert S. Gardner, brother, Hugh A. McKenzie III of Shannon, NC; sister, Joyce D. McKenzie of Coppell, TX; and her cat, Smudges.

She was preceded in death by her brother, John Timothy McKenzie.

A memorial service celebrating the beautiful life of Sue Gardner will be conducted at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 25th at Forest Lawn West Chapel, 4601 Freedom Dr., Charlotte, NC

It is the family’s request to make memorials to the Carolina Raptor Ctr., 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078. On-line condolences may be placed at www.forestlawnwest.com.