Obituary of Patricia A. Gardiner

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beautiful mother, Patricia Annette Lewis Gardiner. She went to heaven after a short illness on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Cayuga Medical Center.

Born to the late E. Fay and Helen (Woodworth) Lewis, on October 6, 1932, in Waverly NY. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Eugene A. Gardiner in 2016, her daughter Susan Gardiner Manges in 2011, and Son-in-law Richard Manges in 2018. Brothers Edward Fay (Genieve) Lewis, Charles William (Bill) (Blanche) Lewis and Sisters, Charlotte (Delmar) Bleiler, Henrietta (John) Doak.

Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters, Dawn (Ted) Larison of Preble, NY: Karen Gardiner of Elmira Heights, NY: Denise (Mark) Switzer of Odessa, NY; eight granddaughters, Kristin Harris, Shannon (Robert) Smith, Bridgett Kellogg, Rebecca (Matthew) Saros, Elizabeth (Drew Hamilton) Larison, Elise (Desiree) Craver, Jacqueline (John Blaha) Switzer, Jennifer (Herbert) Whittaker; nine great grandchildren, Jasmine (Justin) Henry, Haley Smith, Joseph Saros, Isabella Saros, Luna Belle Craver, Emily Donnell, Erin Donnell, Billie Elizabeth Blaha, Peyton Whittaker, Olivia Whittaker, Grayson Whittaker and 1 great-great grandson, Oliver Henry. She also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Her Brookdale Memory Care Facility family was a great comfort to her and her family for the past 2 ½ years. They called her mom or ma, and she accepted them all as her additional children. Telling them that she loved them daily.

Special thanks to the Cayuga Medical Center for their exceptional care, understanding and services over the last few weeks.

Patricia attended Odessa Central School. Married the love of her life, Gene in 1950, and started her family. She was a homemaker, working at Westinghouse, and her Father-in-law's store "Gardiners 5 and 10 cent Variety Store" in Montour Fall, until she had her 4 daughters. She then worked at the Odessa Montour School in the cafeteria, and soon she started driving bus and took the school census for many years. She also worked at the Harold Lee Liquor Store, in Montour Falls. Pat started a restaurant in the late 1970's called "Pats Place" in Odessa, serving breakfast and lunch 6 days a week. After she closed the restaurant, she worked for Bradlees Department Store in the cash Office.

Pat was a lifetime member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Catharine and served on the Vestry and as the treasurer. She also organized the annual Fall Harvest Dinner and Spring Chicken BBQ for St. John's. She was a founding member of the Odessa Fire Department Auxiliary and served as Treasurer. She was a Girl Scout Leader and belonged to Chat-A-While, a women's group in Odessa. A member of the American Legion Auxiliary and she catered Weddings and other functions with her friends, Sharon Rounds, Julie Matthews, and Marjorie Hayes. Pat and Gene loved to camp, they had many trips with family and their special friends. She was a talented seamstress, not only making her own children's clothes but also making dresses and doing alterations. She donated her time and talents sewing hats for cancer patients at Falck Cancer Center, knitting newborn hats and blankets for Schuyler Hospital, prayer shawls and lap robes (napkins) for the elderly and shut ins and receiving the Presidental award for volunteerism. Knitting and crocheting in her later years brought her much joy and there probably was not a baby born in a 3-county radius that she did not make a blanket or sweater for.

Rest peacefully, mom, your love will forever live in our hearts. You taught us everything in life, except how to live without you. Love forever, your girls.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at a service at St. John's Episcopal Church, 4938 County Rte. 14, Odessa NY, on June 25, 2024, at 11:00 am. Followed by Burial at the Highland Cemetery. A light luncheon will follow at the Mechanis Club.

Donations can be made to St. John's Episcopal Church in Pats memory and in lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you honor Pats memory by sharing a meal with loved ones or spending precious time with family and friends.