Nettie Marie Gardner, affectionately known as Marie, was born Dec. 17, 1932, in Donora. She was the daughter of the late Alberta Thomas Ellis and James Ellis. She attended and graduated from Donora High School, Class of 1951. In 1952, she married her husband, the late Lonzo Charles Gardner Sr., and to this union they raised two children, Marzelia and the late Lonzo Jr. Marie was employed for 14 years at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, in the dietary department. She retired to become a nanny to her granddaughter, Marie, and her children. After her husband passed away in 1989, Marie enjoyed traveling and going to the Senior Citizens Center in Donora and visiting other centers in the Mon Valley Area. She was also a member of the Red Hats and enjoyed singing and dancing in the Senior Citizens Musical “Showboat” every year. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church, Donora, for many years. Marie loved getting all dressed up in her beautiful Sunday’s best and going to church to give God glory. She enjoyed listening to the sermons and singing in the choir. Marie departed this life on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Hallsworth House Personal Care Home in Monessen. She was predeceased in death by her husband Lonzo Gardner Sr., who passed on Dec. 2, 1989; and her only son, Lonzo Charles Gardner Jr., who departed this life on April 13, 2019. She was also predeceased by five sisters, Lillian Thomas, Mamie Lee Pickett, Leola Tartt, Mary Harris and Ruth Ellis; and four brothers, James (Buster) Ellis, George Ellis, Robert Ellis and Edward Ellis; brothers-in-law, Frank Thomas, Bo Pickett, Cecil Tartt, Clinton Harris, James Miller and Ronnie Gardner; mother-in-law, Fannie Mae Gardner; sisters-in-law, Ethel Thornton and Elnora Miller; uncles, Charles Peterson, Ernie Peterson, Pete Peterson, Willie Simms and Uncle Caesar. Marie leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Marzelia (Mize) Gardner of Monessen; four grandchildren, Alonzo (Yolanda) Dixon of Georgia, Marie (Jamie) Arnold of Donora, Charshria Tartt of Pittsburgh, and Lorenzo (Monica) Gardner Sr. of Monessen; seven great-grandchildren, Stefan Madison, Monique Madison-Dixon, Sania Dixon, Mahogany Brown, Quinte’ Brown, Imani Arnold, and Lorenzo Gardner Jr.; also survived by aunt, Marge Peterson of Atlanta, Ga.; and sisters-in-law, Barbara (Vernon) Flowers of Washington, Pa., and Frances Gardner of Washington, Pa. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins. Friends and family will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 541 Allen Ave., Donora, PA, 15033, 724-379-9380. Celebration of Life at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 541 Allen Ave., Donora, PA 15033. Interment in Belle Vernon Cemetery, 176 Tranquility Lane, Belle Vernon, PA 15012, 724-929-5266. Repast at Monessen Fireman’s Social Hall, 15 Eastgate Ave., Monessen, PA 15062, 724-684-3771, immediately following burial. The family would like to extend its gratitude to ViaQuest Hospice and staff for its compassionate support and caring and a special thank you to Nurse Joan Holets. Also, I would like to thank Hallsworth House and staff for the care and treatment our loved one mother received. She really enjoyed her stay while she was there. Arrangements of comfort entrusted to HOUSE OF LAW INC., wwwhouseoflawinc.com.
