Gertrude Elaine Wiggen Gardner, 97, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday May 21, 2019. A Westwood, New Jersey resident for over 70 years, Gertrude was the first baby born in Baytown, Texas on April 14, 1922. She was a proud graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in 1938, and of The University of Texas in 1942. Upon graduation, Gertrude worked at the Humble Oil and Refining Company in Baytown, producing aircraft fuel for the war effort.
Gertrude met Walter Gardner in 1943 when he was stationed in Baytown to protect the refinery. They married in 1943 and moved to his hometown of Westwood in 1946. Gertrude became an active citizen of the Westwood community. From 1946 to 2013, the Gardners owned and operated Gardner’s Westwood Flower Shop, the Store Next Door and Gardner’s II Antique Store. Gertrude was also an active member of the Westwood Friends of the Library, Grace Episcopal Church, the Westwood Heritage Society and the Lakeside Choraliers, as well as the Westwood PTA. She was well known for her fervent devotion to the Mets and the state of Texas.
Gertrude loved and cherished her family. She was predeceased by her husband Walter in 1978. She is survived by her son, Eric Gardner and his wife Kim of Park Ridge, NJ; her daughter Elaine Gardner and her husband Ritch Kepler of Cabin John, MD, and daughter Eileen Gardner and her husband Don Myers of Westwood. Gertrude is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses: Adam and wife Sharon Raucci of New York; Drew and wife Bertie Raucci of Delaware; Graham and wife Amanda Gardner of New Jersey; Paige and husband Todd Mulvey of New Jersey; Thaddeus Myers of New York; Kendra Myers and husband Tim O’Brien of Louisiana; Max Citizen Kepler of Oregon; Jane Kepler of North Carolina; and Taylor Myers of New Jersey. She is also survived by three great grandchildren: Aiden Raucci of New York and Blake and Easton Mulvey of New Jersey, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 24th. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 25th at Grace Episcopal Church in Westwood with Father Puca officiating.
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