Obituary: Shirley Ann Gardiner, Avid Knitter, Interior Decorator, Collector

Shirley Ann Gardiner, 82, formerly of Bristol, Rhode Island passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the Tuscany Villa Assisting Living Facility in Naples, Florida. She was the wife of the late Elmer M Gardiner.

Shirley was born at home, in Warwick, Rhode Island, a daughter of the late Nelson and Gladys (Browning) Swanson. She was a graduate of Lockwood High School and attended Bryant College.

Shirley will be remembered for her love of her family and her warm and cheerful nature. Her passion was to create beautiful things. She was an avid knitter, needlepoint, loved to decorate her home and collected everything from shells to doll house miniatures and her amazing stuffed bear collection.

Shirley and her husband, Elmer traveled in their motor home, extensively, for many years before his passing. They loved being together and were best friends.

Shirley is survived by her daughters Donna M Dubord of Bristol, Rhode Island and Susan A Steiner of Port Orchard, Washington. She was the sister of Delight B Carpenter of Kingston, Rhode Island. She was the grandmother of Scott M Dubord, Renee M Stegall, Joshua M Steiner and Matthew A Steiner, and the great-grandmother of four, Gavin Stegall, Katherine “Kate” Dubord, Lucas and Chloe Steiner.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday November 21, 2014 at 11:00 am in the Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home of Wickford, 140 West Main Street, Wickford Village, North Kingstown, RI. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery, North Kingstown, RI.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The American Diabetes Association or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

For online messages of condolence, kindly visit www.CranstonMurphy.com