P. Elizabeth Gardner

P. Elizabeth (Betty) (McIntire) Gardner, 92, of Eastham, died August 20, 2011 at the Broad Reach Care Center at Liberty Commons in Chatham. She was the beloved wife of the late R. Winston Gardner who died in 2004. She was the loving mother of Gail Hayes and her husband James of Painted Post, NY, Joyce Zavorskas and her husband Robert of Orleans, Glenn and his wife Kopkun of Guilford, CT, Garry and his wife Linda of Cohasset, and Robert and his wife Karen of Brewster. Also survived by 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Smith of Eastham, and sisters-in-law, Marjorie Douglas of Eastham and Enez Gardner of Burke, Virginia, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her grace, adventurous spirit, and love of nature, and will be greatly missed by her family. Betty was born in Stoneham, and raised in Weymouth. She attended Burdett College and worked at Fairfield and Ellis Insurance of Boston until her marriage in 1940. Later she worked for Howard Johnson’s at corporate headquarters in Braintree, and for Jack Conway Real Estate. Upon retirement to Eastham, she turned her lifelong dream of being an artist into a 20 year painting career. She was a member of the Eastham Painter’s Guild where she exhibited her paintings for many years at their outdoor shows at the Eastham Schoolhouse. She was also a member of the Chatham Art Center, the Eastham Council on Aging, and a member of the Federated Church of Orleans. Visiting hours at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Parkway, Orleans, on Thursday, August 25, 5-8 PM. A service to celebrate Elizabeth’s life will be held on Friday, August 26, at 11 AM at the Federated Church of Orleans, 162 Main St., East Orleans. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s name may be made to the Eastham Council on Aging, 1405 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA 02642. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com