Nancy Anne Gardner

Nancy Anne Gardner, 74, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly in her home on October 18, 2025.
Born in New York City on April 17, 1951, to Charles Gardner Sr. and Edith Stedfast Gardner, Nancy grew up in New Canaan, CT. She graduated from Colby Junior College and Boston University. After a few years in Boston working in the commercial insurance field, she moved to Chicago where she spent almost ten years in training and development for Fred S. James and Budget Rent A Car Corporation. Nancy then began her real estate career at LaSalle Partners (now Jones Lang LaSalle) in Property Management. In 1998, she began a nearly 30-year career in residential sales, working at Coldwell Banker and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.
In the 40+ years Nancy lived in Chicago, she brought her commitment to community service, attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills to several entities, including Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, American Cancer Society, Junior League of Chicago, Friends of the Chicago River, Chicago Maritime Society, Horizon Hospice, and Habitat for Humanity. She was fun loving with a great sense of humor and enjoyed hosting intimate, elegant gatherings with friends.
Nancy is survived by her sister, Pamela Gardner, her brother Charlie Gardner (Barbara), and nephew Chase Gardner (Rachelle), niece Brooke Grantz (Brad) plus a grandniece and two grandnephews.
Donations in Nancy's name may be made to the Anti-Cruelty Society, https://anticruelty.org/donate, or the Fourth Presbyterian Church Meals Ministry, https://fourthchurch.org/give. A Memorial Service is planned in Chicago at Fourth Presbyterian Church on April 17, 2026