Sue Gard Thayer

Sue Gard Thayer, of Owensboro, KY, died Friday, February 13, 2015, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Boonville, Indiana to the late Frank Maddock and Eloise Derr Maddock Floyd and spent most of her childhood in Phoenix, Arizona. Sue believed age is really unimportant; it's just a state of mind. Her gentle spirit, beauty and grace will be deeply missed by all. First and foremost, Sue was a devoted wife and mother. She began her career at WFIE TV in Evansville, Indiana as a station traffic director, later worked at Gabe's Restaurant where she loved hostessing and she also held her real estate license. She was later a longtime presence at the Owensboro Family YMCA as an instructor of yoga, aerobic dance and aquacise, which she implemented at the YMCA. She also taught aquacise through Owensboro Parks & Recreation. Sue was a true believer in the health benefits of aquatic activity. Her passion for exercise and a healthy lifestyle evolved into a lifelong mission of helping people up to the last day of her life. She embraced the Family YMCA's philosophy of a healthy balance of body, mind, and spirit. Sue was a yoga instructor at Brescia university, enriching the lives of both students and staff. She was certified and practiced massage therapy, reflexology and reiki. She was a member of Sts. Joseph & Paul Catholic Church. She had a thirst for knowledge, was an avid reader and member of local book clubs. She enjoyed nature and spending time with family. Among her many accomplishments, Sue was also a Kentucky Colonel. Survivors include her husband, John Thayer; daughters, Kim Gard Simmons, Pam Gard Oldham, and Renee Gard King all of Owensboro; a son, Greg Gard of Owensboro; the father of her children, Edwin Gard; stepsons, Mark Thayer of Owensboro and Lance Thayer of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Amanda Martin (Nathan) Reffitt, Matt Simmons, Bryson Gard, Janson Gard, Nicholas Oldham, and Chloe King all of Owensboro, Drew Gard (Kris) of Louisville; great grandchildren, Landon, Luke, Kolbe, Olivia and Gianna Reffitt all of Owensboro; eight step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; a brother, Bill (Suzanne) Maddock of Arlington, TX; sister, Margay (Bill) McConnell of Boonville, IN; stepsisters, Judy Bottomley of Newburgh, IN and Brenda Ellis of Cibolo, TX; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Dick) Frederickson of Orange, CA; two aunts and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Eddie Gard; stepfather, Frank Floyd; stepson, Todd Thayer and brother-in-law, Don Thayer. Services are 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2015, at Sts. Joseph & Paul Catholic Church in Owensboro with Reverend Carl McCarthy officiating. Visitation is from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday at James H. Davis Home & Crematory in Owensboro, where prayers will be said at 7:30 p.m., and after 8:30 a.m. on Monday at Sts. Joseph & Paul Catholic Church. Contributions in memory of Sue may be made to the Owensboro Family YMCA Endowment Fund, 900 Kentucky Parkway, Owensboro, KY 42301.