Ruth Pauline Gardner

Ruth Pauline (Libby) Gardner, 82
ARUNDEL -- Ruth Pauline (Libby) Gardner, 82, of Arundel, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the Gosnell House in Scarborough.
She was born in Portland on Nov. 26, 1928, where she was raised, resided and was married in September 1943 to David Harper Gardner Sr.
Ruth worked for Holme & Stickney Shoe Factory in Portland until she had a stroke in 1968. At that time the doctors told her she would never walk or lead a productive life again. Despite that information Ruth persevered and taught herself to walk and write with her other hand, as she was partially paralyzed on one side of her body.
She was a doting housewife, a loving mother, grandmother great and great-great-grandmother.
She enjoyed camping with her husband, other family members and friends. She belonged to two different camping groups, NAFCA and Good Samaritan Camping Association.
She enjoyed playing cards and spending as much time as possible with her very large family. She truly enjoyed knitting and crocheting mittens and afghans for friends and family, always making a new afghan for new arrivals of the family.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years in 1995; by her daughter Vera Haskell in 1998; two sisters; and a great- grandchild. She is survived by her daughters, Ruth P. Ouelette of Arundel, Nellie Cottle and Christine State, both of Iowa, her son, David H. Gardner Jr. of Saco; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Lillian Ouelette of Buxton; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. Burial will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to be made in the name of Ruth P. Gardner to:
The Gosnell Hospice House
11 Hunnewell Ave.
Scarborough, Maine 04074