HELEN GRACE GARDNER

1910 - 2013

Helen Grace Gardner, 103, died December 6, 2013, at Foxwood Springs Health Care Center in Raymore, Mo. Helen was born Sept. 11, 1910, to Charles A. and Lora Bishop, in Ludlow, Mo., where she lived until moving to the Kansas City area at age 14. She graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence, Mo., in 1928 and later attended Kansas City Junior College, Kansas City Teachers College, and the University of Kansas. She taught fifth grade at Rock Creek Elementary School in Independence and after that worked for over eight years at KMBC Radio, where she played the role of a personal shopper on "The Joanne Taylor Show." In 1934 she married James E. Gardner, who at that time worked as an engineer at KMBC. In 1938, they built a home in Independence, where they lived for 54 years before moving to Foxwood Springs retirement community in Raymore in 1992. During her husband's career as executive vice- president of Wilcox Electric Co., Helen traveled extensively with him to Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Later on, even well into her 90s, Helen took trips abroad to visit family in Italy. Helen will be remembered by those who knew her as sociable, caring, engaging, and gracious. She loved people and seldom failed to find a common bond, a connection, or a mutual interest with whomever she met. She was a competitive and accomplished bridge player throughout her life. True to her farming roots, Helen grew a victory garden during WWII, a generous vegetable garden at home in Independence, as well as a community garden at Foxwood, and she liked nothing more than sharing what she grew. In addition to bridge and gardening, her interests and activities included reading, sewing, community theater, computers, investments, Royals baseball (she could always tell you the score), painting, weaving, antiques, genealogy, to name a few, and if a club were formed around any of these, chances are she would have been a charter member. She was an active member of First Christian Church of Independence, and later Raymore Christian Church, past president of the Junior Service League of Independence, a member of the Kansas City Young Matrons, and the DAR. Helen served two terms as a Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of Independence, and she helped organize and was later president of the Family Planning Board of Eastern Jackson County. She was also involved in several study clubs under the auspices of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Born in the early 20th century, Helen was remarkable in her ability to accept and adapt to the dramatic changes of the 21st. Characteristically ahead of her generation, she was already e-mailing in the early 1990s. Her granddaughters lovingly referred to her as "Mission Control" because no matter how widespread the family was, she always knew their whereabouts and latest news. Her granddaughters also fondly remember Helen as a wonderful cook, whose never-fail fudge was a favorite during summer evenings at the Lake of the Ozarks. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, James, who died in 1995. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Janet G. and Tom A. Smith, Jr. of Greenwood, Mo., a son, James E. Gardner, Jr. of Ithaca, N.Y., four granddaughters, Laura (Benjamin) Fillmore of Gardnerville, Nev., Melissa (Aldo) Rigamonti of Milan, Italy, Julia Gardner Smith of Kansas City, Mo., and Jennifer (Tim) Fortier of Lee's Summit, Mo., and nine great-grandchildren. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to The Fellowship of John, Foxwood Springs Residents' Council, PO Box 701, Raymore, MO 64083, or to the charity of one's choice. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at Bromwell Lounge in Foxwood Springs Living Center. Arr.: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, (816) 322-5278.