Lillian Gardner

1920 - 2011

Lillian Virginia McAllister, van den Broek, Gardner died peacefully on September 27, 2011 at age 91. Born in Philadelphia, PA on January 31, 1920 she was the youngest and last survivor of four children of Jesse and Minnie McAllister (nee Firman).

Lillian grew up in Sellersville, PA. After HS graduation, she worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she met her first husband, Harold van den Broek, an enlisted Sailor in the USN. They were married on January 5, 1946. They built a home and raised 4 children in Abington, PA. There she was an active member of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Glenside, PA and a supporter of Abington's public schools and Abington Memorial Hospital.

Harold and Lillian moved to Villa de Palmas on Merritt Island, FL in 1972 after his retirement. There she became an integral part of that community for the next 4 decades. She was a devoted member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Tropical Trail where she served for many years on the Vestry, and as a member of the Alter Guild and the Choir.

After Harold passed away in 1977, Lillian became a founding director of the Central Brevard Sharing Center ,where she served from 1978 until 1992, helping needy families in Brevard County. Her efforts were rewarded with a Senior Volunteer of the Year award by the State of Florida in 1981. She was also a member and past president of the Brevard Chorale, participating in their live concerts in Florida and around the world. In May 2004, she sang with invited members at Carnegie Hall.

Lillian wed her second husband, Paul Gardner, on May 16, 1981. Together they attended both St. Luke's and Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Paul predeceased her in November 2003. In her leisure time, Lillian enjoyed travel, entertaining out of town guests, playing bridge and singing.

Lillian passed away at Belmont Village, a senior living facility in Cardiff by the Sea, California. She is survived by 4 van den Broek children, Judith Condo (Robert Harris), East Greenbush, NY, Mark (Kathryn) Escondido, CA, Stephen (Patti) Melbourne, FL and Daniel (Brenda) Merritt Island, FL; 7 grandchildren, Amy (Robert Serenka), Kristen, Keith (Rochelle), Lindsay, Kevin, Chelsea and Adam; and 3 great-grandchildren, Kayana, Peter and Emmy. She is also survived by Stephen's 2 stepchildren, Stephen Chase and Carla Skewes; and 4 step-grandchildren, Keane, Alia, Kaylee and Ryleigh.

Lillian will be interred at St. Luke's Cemetery alongside Harold. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Luke's at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 8. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Luke's Church, 5555 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953, or the Central Brevard Sharing Center, PO Box 3363, Cocoa, FL 32924 or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090. Please send acknowledgements of donations to Mark van den Broek, c/o mdvanden broek@gmail.com.

Condolences may be offered at www.wylie www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com.