Sylvia C. Gardner

Sylvia C. Gardner, of Buzzards Bay, MA, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on the morning of Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the age of 90. Sylvia was born in Norwood, MA, on January 19, 1935, to Mildred and Charles Reed. She grew up in Westwood, MA, the youngest of three. After Sylvia graduated from Westwood High School, she went to work at a dental lab in Boston and later the Norfolk County Superior Courts. Sylvia married David E. Gardner in August of 1954. Within their first year of marriage, David was shipped to Germany with the US Army, where Sylvia joined him for a few years.

Upon return to the U.S., Sylvia and Dave lived most of their life in Easton, MA. They raised their children there, participated in many town events and committees, and had many friends in the community. They spent summers in Buzzards Bay, at their summer cottage in Hideaway village. She later worked in public housing, retiring after 28 years as the Executive Director of Public Housing in Easton, running branches in Easton, Avon and Abington. After retirement, Sylvia and Dave enjoyed wintering in Sarasota, Fl.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband David E. Gardner. She is survived by her five children: Steven (Lynn) Reed of Kingfield, ME, Linda (Woody Silvia) Gardner of Sarasota, FL, Brenda Stockton of Weymouth, MA, Sally (Timothy) McMahon of Sandwich, MA, and David (Kimberly) Gardner II of Buzzards Bay, MA.

She was a loved and loving Nana to her grandchildren: Nathan (Jacqui) Stockton, Jada (Henry) Clark, Erica (Walter) Allen, Ryan (Sarah) Reed, Joshua (Loretta) Stockton, Rebecca (Kyle) Erickson, Jessica (Josiah) Dulak, Diana (Ryan) Hanley, Emily McMahon, Rachel (JD) Bouzan, Theresa McMahon, Cassandra Gardner, and Nicole Gardner.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Molly Stockton, Alex Stockton, Scarlett Peabody, Jack Clark, Jacie Clark, Silas Peabody, Sebastian Stockton, Weston Dulak, Sansa Stockton, Isla Dulak, Leonore Erickson, Tatum Dulak, Adeline Bouzan, and Dakota Stergis. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her older brothers Graton Reed and Donald Reed.

Sylvia was and will be remembered for being one of a kind. She was a special lady, with a big heart, a competitive and honest spirit, who even earned the nickname “spit fire” in high school. She enjoyed gardening, boating, traveling, a good card game, meeting with her high school girlfriends, and going to her knitting group on Thursdays. Her faith and her family were the most important part of her days. She was the glue that kept her family together and she will be greatly missed.

The wake will be held at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home on Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 in the evening. The Funeral will be held at Swift Memorial Methodist Church in Sagamore Beach at 11:00 in the morning on Friday, March 28, 2025, followed by a light lunch. Interment will be at Massachusetts National Cemetery, date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Swift Memorial Methodist Church in her memory.