Tatiana Stepanova Gardner

GARDNER, Tatiana Stepanova Of Palm Beach and Brookline passed away peacefully at her home on Monday evening, Dec 21st 2009, with her husband of more than 62 years by her side. She was 85. Tatiana, daughter of Ivan and Alexandra Stepanoff, was predeceased by her beloved son G. Peabody Gardner Jr. She leaves behind her husband, George P. Gardner, her daughters Alexandra Gardner and Tatiana Smith. She also leaves seven grandchildren (Gardner, Papanicolaou, Smith, McDonald & Perkin surnames), five great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law, Mrs. G Peabody Gardner Jr, and son-in-law, Earl E. T. Smith, Jr. Born in a Red Cross refugee camp in France, Tania rose from humble beginnings to become a Prima Ballerina for one of the famed Ballets Russes. At the age of 15, she was selected to join Col. de Basil's Original Ballet Russe, initiating her life as a professional dancer. Performing major roles including Swan Lake, La Sylphide, The Sleeping Beauty and Firebird, she became a star ballerina during the War years. In 1946, she retired and married George Peabody Gardner. After retirement, Tania stayed connected to the ballet world as a teacher and volunteer. Her other passions included gardening and spending time with friends and her beloved family. For a more detailed obituary, please visit the funeral home websites: http://www.bradyfallon.com/obituaries.html http://www.quattlebaum.org/ . Services will be private. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be considered to any of the following: i) Russian Orthodox Church of Holy Epiphany 963 South St Roslindale, MA 02131-2309 (617) 327-3663 ii) Boston Ballet attn: Office of Development 19 Clarendon St Boston MA 02116. iii) Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Monastery Route 167 City Road 3 Jordanville, NY 13361 (315) 858-0940 http://www.jordanville.org iv) The MGH Heart Center attn: Heart Failure Program c/o Elizabeth Drolet 165 Cambridge Street suite 600 Boston, MA 02114. Brady & Fallon Funeral Home 617-524-0861