Gardner, Frances H. O’Brien

Frances H. O’Brien Gardner, of Blacksburg, Va., passed away April 16, 2010 at age 92. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and Herbert O’Brien and her husband of forty-one years, Joseph P. Gardner. After graduating from high school she was trained as a medical-surgical nurse and worked for Dr. Austin Lane of E. Orange, N.J. until her marriage. After her husband retired they moved to Blacksburg in 1982 where she became an active member of the community. She volunteered for the Humane Society of Montgomery County and was one of the original group who started the Second Time Around store which helps support the Society’s animal shelter. She served as Manager of the store for a period of time. She was a Board member of the Newcomers’ Club in 1984. She was once active in the local AARP group. She was a former member of the Trillium Garden Club and the Women’s Club. She hosted a number of international students from Virginia Tech and became their home away from home. She is survived by her children, Dr. Patricia Eng of Blacksburg, Va., Joseph P. Gardner, Jr. of Colchester, Conn., and Theresa Peterson of Caldwell, N.J.; sons-in-law, Todd Peterson and Dr. Ludeman Eng, and daughter-in-law, Laurie Gardner; grandchildren, Ludeman Eng, Jr., Eric, Timothy, and Kelley Peterson, and Ishara and Joseph M. Gardner. Graveside services will be conducted Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Westview Cemetery with the Father Remi Sojka officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, Va., 24063. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.