Natalie T Gardner

Natalie T. Gardner, 86, passed away on October 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. She was born on January 6, 1936, to Matthew and Eva Blistan. Natalie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 24 years, Richard Gardner Sr. and later finding her longtime companion, Sam Venturella; siblings, Matthew Blistan II, Mildred Zornan-Sweeney, and Richard Blistan;

Natalie always led an active lifestyle, in her church and her community. She was a proud member of Sokol Lodge 276, Trustee of Sokol MCT, and a member of the Sokol Gymnastics Union. Natalie was also a passionate member and volunteer at Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church and then Christ Lutheran Church. She loved playing cards, bowling, exercising at the gym and line dancing.

She enjoyed her AARP group and going to the casino. On weekends, Natalie could often be found on one of her many bus trips. She was always up for a game of Chinese checkers with her grandchildren and was an active pen pal to her great-grandchildren. She was eternally grateful to her father, Otec (Mathew) for immigrating from Czechoslovakia to America in 1910 for dreams of a better life for their family.

Natalie will be greatly missed by her children, Linda (Byron) Swann, Richard (Lorena) Gardner, and Cyndi Chiodo; grandchildren Fernando (Nichole) Medina, Richard Everett (Adriana Da Silva Bellini) Gardner, Bradley Swann, Brittany (Brendan) Litzinger, Cole Chiodo, and Mali Chiodo; great-grandchildren Jonas and Penelope Medina, Rayleigh and Adriana Litzinger; and loving siblings Olga Paulovkin, Rose Hoover, Darlyne Moschak, and Gerald Blistan.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Natalie Gardner’s name payable to University of Pittsburgh, Lung Cancer Research.

Mail to: UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B

5150 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brandtfuneralhome.com for the Gardner family.