Mary Gardinier was born Mary Ellen Peterson on 12/15/1939 in Buffalo New York to Vernon and Delores Peterson. She grew up with her older sister Anne (Peterson) DelCalzo in Terrace Park Ohio and attended Bowling Green State University and Kansas State University. Upon graduating she moved to Littleton Colorado where she began a long teaching career.
She married Tim Tarleton with whom she raised her two children, David and Anne. Anne and her husband Kevin Bartsch have 4 daughters – Amanda, Morgan, Dani, and Paige. David and his wife Jackie have two sons Amani and Baraka. After 26 years of marriage, she and Tim divorced. She later met Vaughn Gardinier and the two married in 1993. She acquired 5 additional children, Lis, Dan, Julie, Maggie and Tom and their families. Together Vaughn and Mary enjoyed their extended families, traveling, gardening, and cocktail hour on their patio where they would catch up on each other’s day.
Mary was an elementary school teacher for the Littleton Public Schools. She understood the importance of experiences and hands on education. She led overnight field trips to Estes Park, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Mesa Verde. She kept a variety of classroom pets and was always finding ways to actively involve students in their education and make learning fun. Since her passing, many letters from students have been discovered telling her the impact she had on their lives.
In addition to the commitment she gave to her teaching career, Mary found enjoyment in a variety of artistic endeavors, from ceramics and painting to making dollhouses and quilting. She enjoyed the creative outlet these hobbies provided her and the friends she made in the process.
Mary was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Littleton for more than 40 years. She gave much of her time and energy to the church. This included working to help settle Vietnamese refugees, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, volunteering in their preschool, working with Family Promise and serving as a member of the Church Council.
She was an active supporter and donor to the Interfaith Task Force IFTF – now known as Integrated Family Community Services and served as the President on the Board of Directors. She also donated a lot of time and sweat to Habitat for Humanity and strongly believed in their mission to help house those less fortunate.
She influenced the lives of many in her lifelong commitment to her faith, her community and her family.
Mary passed away on March 8th 2024 in the gentle care of Touchmark and Hospice. She will be missed, but we are comforted knowing that so much of her goodness lives on in us and that she is happier and at peace. If you knew Mary, raise a glass of gin or diet coke, and make a toast to a life well lived.
If you are wanting to make a donation in Mary’s name please consider Habitat for Humanity or give to any school of your choice.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Share
Add your thoughts and memories.