Obituary of Wanda M. Gardner

Batavia – Wanda M. Gardner, 75, of Batavia, passed away Friday, (February 9, 2018) at Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester.

Mrs. Gardner was born September 7, 1942 in Albion, a daughter of the late George and Arlene (Martin) Motz.

Wanda held dual memberships in the Gaines Congregational United Church of Christ and the Wyoming Presbyterian Church.  She was a former member of the Batavia United Methodist Church.  She was also a past member of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office Special Deputies and the Alexander Methodist Sunshine Club.

Mrs. Gardner worked for many years at Niagara Mohawk in Batavia.  She worked in both a secretarial role and in the planning department.

She loved to bake and was known for her incredible cakes and pies.  She took great pleasure in helping people in any way she could, especially driving people wherever they needed to go.  She also enjoyed sharing her cooking with her nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her husband, Rev. James A. Gardner.  The two were married August 31, 1968 in Batavia.

Surviving along with her husband is her son, James R. Gardner of Denver, CO; two grandsons, Kaden and Mica Gardner; a brother, Ronald (Mary) Motz of Batavia; four sisters, Linda (Mike) Wright of NM, Cheryl Baron of AZ, Cindy (Dennis) Waldmiller of Buffalo, and Nancy (Don) Shepherd of Gainesville, FL; a brother-in-law, Richard (Cindy) Rada of Batavia; several nieces and nephews.  Wanda’s foster children, whom she loved as if they were her own, three Michaels and Jennifer also survive.

She is preceded in death by a sister, Onlee Rada.

Friends may call on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main St., Batavia.  Wanda’s Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, (February 15, 2018) at Gaines Congregational United Church of Christ, 14023 Ridge Road, Albion.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL, 33607 or online at www.shrinershospitals.org/donate.  Burial will be in Grand View Cemetery, Batavia.