Mary C. Gardner Evertsen

Evertsen, Mary C. Gardner COHOES Mary C. Gardner Evertsen, 100 of Cohoes, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, March 8, 2021. Born at the home of her parents, Howard and Loretta White Gardner, on May 17, 1920. Mary was a lifelong resident of the "All American City" for 100 plus years. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, John Willard Evertsen; her son-in-law John F. Kienzle; and two brothers, Edward (late Elizabeth) Gardner and William (late Matilda) Gardner. She is survived by her children, Patricia C. Kienzle of Nassau, John Howard (Maryellen Dvorscak) Evertsen of Schenectady, James Willard Evertsen (Dawn Leonard and her canine companion Isabelle) of Cohoes and Maryellen (Mern) Evertsen of Cohoes; and her grandsons, Shawn Howard and Matthew James Evertsen of Brooklyn. Mary is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Mary resided on Central Avenue for her entire life, born in her parent's home and moving later in life as wife and mother into a newly constructed home her father Howard, brother Edward and her husband Willard built just down the street. In her youth, Mary was a talented tap dancer who appeared on stage at the Troy Music Hall, the Sagamore Hotel on Lake George, Proctors Theater in Schenectady and at various venues throughout the Capital Region with the "Blanche Condon Dancers." Mary was a proud graduate and class officer of Cohoes High School's class of 1938. Prior to her marriage, Mary was employed by the Montgomery Ward Department Store in Menands as a quality control associate in their catalog mail order department. Upon Mary's marriage to John Willard Evertsen, her childhood sweetheart, on February 15, 1942, at St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Cohoes, she began a new chapter in life as a homemaker and future mother of four children: Patricia, Howard, James, and Maryellen. As a devoted mother and homemaker, she was a past president of the Cohoes Parent Teachers Association, a Girl Scouts of America and N.Y. Yorker mom and a member of the Cohoes Library Board. Mary always enjoyed big family gatherings in "the house that love built." She could be found watching the "Wheel" and Jeopardy or rooting for the New York Yankees with "Smitty" and Cowboy Saturdays with "Elliot." She especially enjoyed going out with Willard for dinner and a movie; being with her children and seeing her grandsons, Shawn and Matthew, for family gatherings. Mary spent time visiting relatives in Montreal on Hibernia Road and vacationing at Lake George, Cape Cod, Mass. and Ogunquit, Maine; visiting New York City to see the Radio City Music Hall "Rockettes"; and attending concerts of Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett. Mary always looked forward to her weekly appointments with Betty and friends at the Harmony West Salon. Another highlight was her great chats with her nephews, Bobby, Wayne, and Leonard. Mary was always excited to share in the births and baptisms of the children of her nieces, Suzanne, Karen, and Kathy. Mary and her dear friend Mary K. Dvorscak (Howard's mother-in-law) enjoyed many vacations, including Hawaii and activities together over the past 40 plus years. Their favorites being jaunts to the Saratoga Casino, 4th of July celebrations at the Domskis and attending shows at the Glimmerglass Opera House and the Ogunquit Playhouse. Mary's bright Irish blue eyes, friendly smile and witty sense of humor enriched everyone's day. As a remembrance to Mary, her wish was for everyone to enjoy a dinner together with a "toast to peace" of ginger and "Bushmills" and a prayer to our Lord Jesus "to bless you and keep you safe each day of your life until we meet again in paradise." Mary was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Waterford where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens, Colonie. The family will receive friends at the Dufresne Funeral Home, Inc., 216 Columbia St., Cohoes on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed inside and outside of the funeral home. Donations may be made in Mary's name to the American Red Cross organization in her memory. For condolences, visit dufresnefuneralhome.com