Genevieve Gardner Obituary (1918 - 2015)

Genevieve Isom Gardner passed away peacefully on October 3, 2015 after living an extremely full and active life. She was born on October 7, 1918 in Hurricane, Utah to Thomas and Annie Hinton Isom, The youngest of 10 children. Gen attended Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City, Utah and graduated from the LDS School of Nursing in Salt Lake City. While attending nursing school she became reacquainted with Lehi Robert (Bob) Gardner of Cedar City. They were married on December 18, 1942 in St. George, Utah. They spent nearly 50 happy years together before Bob's untimely death in 1992. Gen and Bob spent three wonderful years in Boston, MA where Gen worked as a nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, supporting Bob through his studies at MIT. They returned to Utah in 1945 where they went on to build a family of five children and became involved in community and civic affairs. Life in Cedar City was very active. In addition to successfully raising her five children Gen was a nurse at College of Southern Utah preschool and student health center. She was also involved in fostering healthcare in the Iron County public school system, participating in Red Cross blood drives and working at several of the local doctor's offices. It was, however in the field of the arts that Gen's impact was most tangibly felt. She was a patron and major donor to the cause of education and of the arts in southern Utah, particularly in leadership and volunteer efforts with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, scholarship endowment at Southern Utah University and many contributions to civic and church projects. She was an avid supporter of the Utah Symphony and Orchestra of Southern Utah. She filled her life with many special friends, flowers and gardening, book and bridge clubs, golfing and traveling. Gen was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband and son Thomas Isom. She is survived by four children; Paul Robert (Rosalee), Raymond Scott (Susan), Leslie Ann Terry (Jay), Debra Bosworth (David) and daughter-in-law Ellen Gardner; grandchildren Bradley Robert Gardner (Kim), Erin Elizabeth Terry and Benjamin Jay Terry; great-grandchildren Abby Jean and Ryan Robert Gardner. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at 11:00 at the LDS Second Ward Chapel (256 South 900 West, Cedar City). A viewing will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 6-8 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 North 300 West, Cedar City). On Saturday October 31, 2015 the viewing will be held at the Church from 10-10:45 am, prior to the services. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to the arts organization of your choice.