ROCKLAND — Blanche E. Gardner, 90, died peacefully Jan. 2, 2013, at the Knox Center for Long Term Care.

She was born in Pittsfield, Mass., April 29, 1922, the daughter of Fred L. and Goldie Davis Collins. After moving to West Rockport at a young age, she was educated in local schools and was valedictorian of her 1940 graduating class at Rockport High School. Following graduation, she was employed by J. B. Pearson Co. in Thomaston. On June 6, 1943, she married Clifford H. Gardner Jr. at the First Baptist Church in Rockland. They were married for 61 years and made their home in Rockland, where they raised their four children. After her children were all in school, she returned to work at Rockland's South School in the lunch program. Later she began employment with GTE Sylvania in Waldoboro. She retired in 1984 after more than 20 years with GTE.

She was a great cook, had a green thumb, enjoyed swimming, picnicking, traveling, sewing, her dogs, and ice skating. She loved her husband, her children and her church, and in later years enjoyed being a grandmother and great-grandmother to her family.

For many years, along with her husband, she was active in the First Baptist Church of Rockland. She and her friend, Sybil Mills, founded the nursery program at the church. In later years, she attended the West Rockport Baptist Church, which she had joined as a child. She lived her Christian faith and was charitable, especially enjoying her membership in The Gleaners.

She was pre-deceased by her husband in 2005; an infant son, Jonathan; her son, Joel M. Gardner; a brother, Fred Collins; and her sister, Glenys Hamalainen. She is survived by two sons, John Gardner and his wife, Linda, of South China, and the Rev. James Gardner and his wife, Rebecca, of Houlton; a daughter, Janet Shaw and her husband, James, of South Paris; six grandchildren, Jonathan Gardner and his wife, Patti, of Waterboro, Sarah Gardner of Hollis, Tiffany Shaw of Waterford, Jared Shaw of South Paris, Benjamin Shaw and his wife, Audrey, of Waterford, and Joel M. Gardner Jr. of Niceville, Fla.; her daughter-in-law, Cora Gardner of Niceville, Fla.; three great-grandchildren, Sawyer Shaw, Natalie Dumas and Aislinn Shaw; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Monday, Jan, 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. at West Rockport Baptist Church, where a celebration of Blanche's life will be held immediately following. The Rev. David English and Blanche's son, the Rev. James Gardner, will co-officiate. Spring interment will be in West Rockport Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Knox Center for Long Term Care for their wonderful care and support of their mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Rockport Baptist Church, P. O. Box 221, West Rockport, ME 04856.

To share a memory or story with Mrs. Gardner's family, visit her online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland.