Obituary: Patricia M. Gardner
April 13, 1949 – September 28, 2025
October 1, 2025Patricia M. Gardner, 76, passed away at her home in the comfort of her family on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Born on April 13, 1949, in Hardwick, she was the daughter of the late Freddie G. and Florilla (Eastman) Putvain. She married Alton D. “Butch” Gardner on May 24, 1969, in Hardwick. Butch predeceased her on May 26, 2017.
Patricia M. Gardner, 1949-2025
Patty grew up on the family farm in Hardwick and attended local schools. She and Butch moved to Waterbury in 1975. She ran a home daycare and maintained a relationship with those parents and kids who are still like family to her. After closing the daycare, she worked for Home Health and then as an independent home health care provider.
Patty enjoyed cooking, laughing, and caring for her family, friends, and neighbors. Patty’s whole life has been dedicated to taking care of others. She was constantly looking for ways to grow in her faith, and her prayer time was very important to her.
Patty was a faithful member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Waterbury. She attended daily mass, was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the rosary group; her commitment to her Catholic faith was a big part of who she was. Her whole life was in the service of others. She will be deeply missed.
She was loved and is mourned by her family: her daughter, Jennifer Gardner of Waterbury Center; her son, David Gardner of Montpelier. her many siblings, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and her daycare family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Waterbury, with a reception to follow in St. Leo’s Parish Hall. She will be laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery in Duxbury after the reception.
Those who wish may make memorial gifts in Patty’s memory to the St. Andrew Cemetery Fund. Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury is assisting the family.