Dogs running loose in Dunkirk

Martha Jane Gardner (nee Rosencrans) died February 1, 2010, at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA, the result of complications from a fall. Born October 4, 1921, in West Lafayette, IN, she was the daughter of the late Gordon W. and Esther Fowler Rosencrans, the widow of the late Wallace William Gardner (Wally), formerly of Pennville, and the daughter-in-law of the late Harry and Mary Gardner of Pennville. Marti grew up in Rocky River and Upper Arlington, OH, and attended Purdue University, earning a degree in Institutional Management in December, 1942. While at Purdue she met Wally, whom she married in June, 1943, and with whom she happily shared the next 44 years before his death in 1987. Following WWII, and for the next 25 years, the couple and their daughter, Margaret (Peggy), lived in Ann Arbor, MI, while Wally completed graduate studies and then taught at the University of Michigan. During those years, in addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Marti served as dietician for the Willow Run School District and attended school at night and during the summers, obtaining master's degrees in elementary education and special education, fields in which she went on to teach and consult. In 1970, Marti and Wally moved to Salt Lake City, UT, where Wally served on the faculty of the Business School at the University of Utah. After her move, Marti turned to volunteerism. In a span of 33 years, she gave over 4500 hours of service to Shriners Hospital for Children, Intermountain, establishing and administering the volunteer program for the first 14 years. As one colleague noted, "You were not only the founder ... but also its heart and soul." Her love of serving at Shriners led to membership in Ladies of the Oriental Shrine and Daughters of the Nile. After the death of her husband, she opened her home to the parents of Shriners Hospital patients, offering them not only bed and breakfast, but lots of TLC. Marti helped feed the homeless for many years at the "Chuck Wagon" as part of Eagle Ministries. In addition to serving others, her joys were her family, friends and travel. She saw the world and, with her husband, also enjoyed 2 ½ years in Taipei, Taiwan, and six months in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, through affiliation with U of M and U of U, respectively. She and Wally loved the beauty and peace of Lake Powell in southern Utah and shared house-boating excursions with others over many years. Perhaps the words of a dear friend, on the occasion of Marti's presentation for honorary membership in the U of U Women's Club, best characterize Marti: "I have never known anyone who gives so generously of time, talent and energy for her friends and family. She has an uncanny sense of when and where she is needed. When there is trouble, she is there to help. When the world looks black, her smile and good humor serve as a lifeline. She is never too busy to lend a helping hand, to ease a hurt." In 2006, Marti moved east to be closer to her daughter and lived happily at Rosemont Presbyterian Village in Rosemont, PA, until just prior to her death. She is survived by a loving family including her daughter and son-in-law, Ronald Gregg, grandchildren, Emily Babiash (Richard) and Brian Gregg (Marcellina), four great-grandchildren, Evan and Matthew Babiash, and Miranda and Jonathan Hicks. A memorial service for Marti will take place at the Pennville United Methodist Church on Friday, February 12, at 11 AM. Memorial gifts may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Intermountain, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. A memorial tribute may be viewed at www.mem.com.

[[In-content Ad]]