Mary Jane Iwaniec

Mary Jane Iwaniec passed peacefully on to the next realm on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Mary Jane was born in Lexington, KY, on February 12, 1925. The youngest child of H.C. Gardenhire, Sr., and Jewell Gardenhire, she had three older brothers, H.C., Jr., R.B., and E.R. Gardenhire (all now deceased).

She met her husband-to-be, Eugene Iwaniec, while they served in the military during WWII. They married in 1944 and had three children: John, Candace, and Robin.

Mary Jane's creative artistry was boundless. She adorned public and private spaces through portraiture of flora and fauna, ceramics, and jewelry. Her art and craft gave expression to community gatherings and venues throughout her long life.

She was active in the Eastern Star Chapter of Bartow while it existed and became very active in the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She found resonance in the principles of both organizations and was inspired to support civil activism and justice as well as voters' rights and voting.

In her ninety-eight years, Mary Jane saw a fantastic arc of history. When she could no longer see, she filled space with rich stories of the experiences of the earnest folk she loved and respected - all family and friends. We will deeply remember those stories and the images they conveyed over the years. They fill our minds with fond memories never to be forgotten, and therefore, she will be remembered forever and, in turn, associated with a quote from Jorge Luis Borges, Labyrinths

Time is the substance from which I am made.

Time is a river which sweeps me along,

but I am the river.

Mary Jane is survived by Robin and her granddaughter, Savannah, as well as John, his wife Tracy, and their daughters, Jessica and Rachel.