Parcourez la nécrologie de GARDINER “Marion Arnette Conway of Middlesex 2025 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from complications due to stroke. Born October 24, 1942 to the late Bernard Conway and the late Dorothy Conway (nee Nethercott). Beloved wife of the late Jack Gardiner (March 13, 2024). Cherished mother of Cheryl Gardiner (Reg Gristey), Kelly Gardiner (Ron Pickel), John Gardiner (Zhang Jian), Michael Gardiner (Christine Wellenreiter), and Heather Gardiner (Jesse Crawford). Adored grandmother of Leah McKay (Brad Wakem), Lindsay McKay (Adam Stan), Michelle Braconnier (Rory Braconnier), Luke McKay, Mitchell Gardiner, Josh Robins, Brooke Crawford, and Justin Crawford. Beloved great-grandmother of Michaela, Austin, Jordan, and Octavia. Dear sister of Bernie Conway and Joan Loft. Predeceased by her brother George Conway (2022). Fondly regarded by her cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Much of Arnette’s younger years were spent with her husband Jack, both of them growing up in London, Ontario, and attending Catholic Central High School, where they met and became high school sweethearts. Jack was a star football player for the Catholic Central Crusaders and Arnette was a cheerleader. They were married May 13, 1961. Five children later, they settled on a farm in London Township in 1969. Together with Jack’s father, Johnny Gardiner Sr., they farmed several hundreds of acres called Gardiner Farms. Jack was a teacher by profession by day, Arnette was the wife, mother, and farmer working alongside her father-in-law Johnny. She mastered less than mechanically sound used vehicles that Jack would deem driveable. The family has many hysterical stories of Jack’s old jalopies. What would you expect from someone who used a “hearse” as the family car? Arnette’s favourite grain truck was a 1959 Diamond T Rio. Every trip to the mill, regardless which truck she drove, had no power steering and many times, no brakes! There was no shortage of help at any of the local grain yards, with the guys waiting and scrambling to be the first to help little Mrs. Gardiner.
September 1980, Arnette yearned for a higher education as her own children started heading off to post-secondary. She enrolled as a mature student at the University of Western Ontario, persevered, and graduated in 1989 with an honours master’s degree in English, and a teaching certificate in 1990. She pursued a teaching career and taught English as a Second Language (ESL), moving on to become the guidance counsellor at the continuing education program for new Canadians at the Wheable Education Centre. Arnette had a soft spot for helping new Canadians. Above and beyond helping with their English, she would take some of the women under her wing. It would be common for her to bring them out to the farm, take them shopping, or to appointments. Arnette finished her career as a union bargaining agent for Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF).
Arnette remained very active in her senior years taking up cycling, tennis, and the neighbours can confirm daily sightings of Arnette and her daughters walking 10 mile road. She even cycled in France, twice, once with her sister Joan, and the other with a group from Western University, where Mom was at the front of the pack, outcycling others, 40 years younger. Fitness and health were very much a huge part of her life and she passed these important values on to her family.
The last few years Arnette has showed her absolute dedicated devotion to her husband Jack, caring for him at home “in sickness and in health”. Jack passed last March 2024. Arnette, heartbroken, after 62 years of marriage, her own health suffered. She gave her all to Jack and succumbed to several strokes. She peacefully passed with Jack’s picture and her family by her side.
In keeping with Arnette’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will take place for Arnette at the Bryanston Community Centre, 15321 Plover Mills Rd, Ilderton on January 19, 2025 from 1-4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your favourite local charity or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be gratefully appreciated by the Gardiner family.
Offer Condolence for the family of GARDINER: “Marion” Arnette (Conway) of Middle
2025
Décès pour la Ville:Exeter, Province: Ontario
avis deces GARDINER “Marion Arnette Conway of Middlesex 2025
nécrologie GARDINER “Marion Arnette Conway of Middlesex 2025
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