Mary Elizabeth Gardiner

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mary Elizabeth Neal Gardiner, 95, passed way November 12, 2016, in Augusta, GA, after a brief illness. Born June 14, 1921, in Anniston, AL, she was the daughter of Thomas Clifford Neal, M.D. and Constance Brown Neal. She was predeceased by her parents and by her sisters Marjorie Sutton and EleanorJane Poe. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, David Columbus Gardiner, of Augusta and her four children David Neal Gardiner of Mill Valley, CA; Thomas Clifford Gardiner of Augusta; Edith Margaret Gardiner (Jonathan G. Izant II) of Seattle, WA; and Mary Beth Gardiner (Paul Fetters) of Falls Church, VA, as well as one brother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Known as Mary Lib to her friends, she attended college at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. In addition to her role as a busy wife and mother, she worked in secretarial and administrative posts throughout her life, including Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, during World War II, William Robinson Elementary School while her children were in attendance, and many years at Augusta College, first in the Dean’s Office and then the Office of Alumni Affairs, from which she retired in 1982. She was involved in volunteer activities throughout her life including the William Robinson School library, Augusta Humane Society, St. Joseph Hospital Pink Ladies, Richmond County electoral poll, and Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church library. She was also an avid bridge player, and until 2014 organized monthly social games at Reid Memorial. Mary Elizabeth was a close observer of human nature, had a keen sense of humor, loved cats, was a scratch cook and baker, and excelled in the needle arts, including knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint. A favorite spot for her was the front row at the 10th green at the Augusta National, where her husband, David, worked the scoreboard during the Masters golf tournament. She will be missed by friends and family alike. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary Elizabeth’s name to the CSRA Humane Society (706-261-7387 or http://csrahumanesociety.org/) or other animal shelter or rescue organization. A private family interment is planned at Westover Memorial Park.