Maria Briscoe Gardiner
October 27, 1925 ~ March 7, 2011
Services:
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 9:00-10:00 AM in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD.
Maria “Lou” Briscoe Gardiner, 85, of Hollywood, MD and formerly of Rockville, MD died March 7, 2011 at her residence. Born on October 27, 1925 in Leonardtown, MD, she was the daughter of the late John H. T. and Hilda Jane Maddox Briscoe. Mrs. Gardiner was the loving wife of John F. Gardiner, Jr. whom she married in St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown, MD. She was also survived by her children; John F. Gardiner, III of Severna Park, MD, Walter H. Gardiner of Vienna, VA, Marian Gardiner Fegeley, Maria Gardiner Steppe both of Hollywood, MD and Ron Gardiner of La Plata, MD, her 10 grandchildren and siblings; John Hanson Briscoe of Hollywood, MD and Meme Briscoe Gillaspy of Spencer, IN. She attended St. Mary’s Academy and Strayer Business College. Mrs. Gardiner was born and raised in St. Mary’s county but moved to Rockville, MD in the 1950’s and returned to St. Mary’s County in January of 1979. She was a homemaker and enjoyed donating her time to the Sotterley Foundation and Meals on Wheels. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons Jason Steppe, John Gardiner IV, Vince Gardiner, Hugh Gardiner, and nephews John Briscoe and John Gillaspy. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Gardiner can be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, St. John’s Catholic Church, 43950 St. John’s Road, Hollywood, MD, 20636 and/or the Sotterley Foundation, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636.
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“John Hanson Briscoe, & the Gardiner families: So sorry to learn of the death of your sister. We use to see her at St. John’s all the time when we lived in St. Mary’s County, you and your family are very special to us, as you know Judge John H. T. Briscoe was the first Judge that I worked for, and I will always remember him, he taught me alot. We are so sorry that we can’t offer our condolences in person, for we now live in Guntersville, Alabama. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers, May God bless the Briscoe & Gardiner families. Love, Doris & Skip Jones”
“Jack and all the family: I am so sorry for your loss. I am greatful to have spent some time talking with her at the nursing home while there for therapy. We also enjoyed each others company when my friend “Hilda” was with us. She is with her now. She is also a guardian angel to watch over all of you to give you guidance and peace. She will be in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all of you, Mary Agnes”
“Jack, we pray for the repose of Lou’s soul, and for your family, that God will grant you healing and peace in this time of grief and loss.”
“Jack and all the family: So sorry to hear of Lou’s death. We had lots of fun together, especially with that horn and the snickers!! Sorry I will miss the services as I will be out of town. Will keep her in my prayers.”
“We were so sorry to hear of Lou’s passing. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.”
“We are both sorry for the loss of this great lady. We will keep the family in our prayers. Susan Stedman and John Mazuc “
“Ron and Gardiner Family; I have not enough words to express my sadness towards the loss of Maria. Having lost mine recently, I still cannot imagine how painful this loss is to you. As much as I try to reason with this type of loss, I can’t. It is because of this that I extend to you and your family my deepest condolences. I’ve had a very good idea of the closeness between Ron and his parents. Regretfully, I will not be able to attend the services and extend my condolences in person. I do want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and I extend my hand to console you in any way possible. Glenda and Jose Perez “
“Jack,John Hansen and family: We were sorry to hear of your loss. We are in Florida but our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. You all have lots of wonderful memories to cherish. Diane and Frank Bell “
“Dear Jack, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of great sadness. If any of us can assist you in any way please do not hesitate to give us a call. Sincerely, All of your fellow CHMA Cadets “
“Sorry to hear about Lou. Our throughts and prayers are with you all.”
“Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. “
“Ron, Stacey and the Gardiner Family. Lorrie and I are so sorry to hear about Lou’s passing. What a great lady she was. I will always remember the afternoon I spent with Stacey and Lou at her home where she served up homemade We had a very enjoyable visit and I made the mistake of drinking two tall glasses of Lou’s homemade beer and found myself fast asleep for over an hour as soon as I got in the car to return home with Stacey. Jack is a very lucky man to have had a life’s companion in Lou. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Warm regards, Dan Pelliccio”
“Sorry to learn of Lou’s passing , You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Loretta “
“Jack, On behalf of the Charlotte Hall School Board of Trustees please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. Carlyle Lancaster, President Charlotte Hall School Board of Trustees.”
“We all have such fund memories of “Lou’ as she loved meeting people and loved her family and many of their friends with her Southern Maryland charm and wit. Thank the lord we still have her daughter Marian as she calls out for her husband with the same zeal as queenie as she calls out for “Jaaack!!!!!!!!” Keeping this tradition alive in our hearts! If there is a Saint for patience if should be Lou. God Bless her soul! Our Love and Prayers go out to the family.”
“Val, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Mary Hardy-Marcus”
“To the Gardiner Family – Jack and the clan, you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Lou will always be remembered fondly by the Hunts.”
“I am sorry to hear of Queenie’s death. I am sure she has borrowed Gabriell’s trumpet to announce her arrival in heaven. My thoughts and prayer are with all of the family.”
“Jack and family,I would like to pass on my condolences. Knowing the family has been throught a lot. Keep the faith. I will keep you in my prayers. “
“Ron, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
“Ron and the Gardiner Family, Please accept my heartfelt sadness for the loss of your mother. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Marty and the Kesner family.”
“”Jack, Reg and I want to express our sincere & heartfelt condolences in regards to your dear Lou’s passing. Our memories of her are so very special. Just saw her picture the other day on our family & friend slide show. We always had such a great time with you both when we would meet at the Charlotte Hall gatherings. We will always remember Lou as such a warm & loving person with such compassion in her heart that always touched others deeply, including us. Her sense of humor was so wonderful. Jesus has her completely now and His plan is something we can trust in without a doubt. Our prayers are with you Jack, now and always. May God keep you near His comforting embrace and lift your grieving heart with each day. Lou will be greatly missed by us all. We love you both Jack and are thinking of you at this extremely difficult time. You and your family are in our prayers. May God Bless each of you with His guidance and comforting peace.” Love, Reg & Connie Chambers”
“Dear Cousin Jack and all my other Gardiner “Cousins”: You all know how much I love your family; I have so many memories of Jack & Lou and Aunt “Tissy” and Uncle John; what great times we shared together through the years! Lou was so much fun; always game for anything and when she entered a room, the whole place lit up! I know she is with all of our family in heaven; maybe even having a “hot” card game!! You all are the greatest family anyone could have and I know how much Lou will be missed. God Bless! Pat “
“Mr. Gardiner and family, our prayers are with you during this sorrowful time. Sincerely, Son and Elaine Wood”
“Marian and Family: It is so hard to lose a parent. Just as a mother always regards her children as children no matter how old they become…we, too, can still retain some of our childhood thru our parents and find it hard to step up in the family line to that new designation, hoping that we can be the same comfort and matriarch that our mother was. In truth, we will never fill their shoes but be their legacy here on earth, a physical remembrance here of the spirit that now lives in a celestial home. Her love and memory will be a constant reminder of the care and guidance she gave all of you. Her generation was in many ways the greatest generation, old values, unfailing faith, love of this county and country with unconditional love to her family and friends. God blessed her with 85 years on this earth and an eternity in her new spiritual home. Leaving in peace….job well done. My condolences to you and your family. Sharon-MASS INC”
“Dear Jack and family: I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Lou. She was a very great lady who was quick with her smile and kind words. I often think of you and Lou and my prayers go with you during these hard times. I am here in Alabama and will not be able to express my condolences in person but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You. “
“Deepest Sympathy.”
“Oh, how we will all miss the laughter, joy and good times that Lou Gardiner brought to all those who were lucky enough to spend time in her bright and beautiful company. I will never forget the parties at my parent’s home where Lou held us all spellbound with so many great stories of life in earlier times in St. Mary’s County. I will always remember her as a lady full of jolly good fun who brought laughter and love to every gathering of her many friends. She will always be remembered and missed dearly. “