FARMINGTON — Olive Althea Gardner, 87, of East Dixfield, died early Tuesday morning at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Farmington.

She was born in Starks on April 17, 1923, a daughter of Abner and Ellen (Webster) Stickney, and the stepdaughter of George Girardin. She received her education in Starks Grammar School, New Sharon schools, and graduated from Dixfield High School. On April 17, 1959, she married Theodore “Ted” Gardner in Wilton. He died Sept. 9, 2006.

She was a hard worker, having worked at her uncle Joe Webster’s store; Diamond National; Norwock Shoe; and also took care of children in her home for a number of years. She was a member of the South Carthage Ladies Auxliary for many years. She was a devoted wife, and cared for her husband for many years, as well as caring for her mother and stepfather in their later years.

Olive and Ted adored the many animals they had over the years, especially their little dog, Manny, or “Babe,” as they called him. She enjoyed crocheting, playing cards and cribbage, many games, especially trivia, gardening, canning, growing and selling raspberries, and cooking. She read many Martha Stewart and Ladies magazines in braille, listened to Nascar every week, and enjoyed having children around her as much as she could. She was known for making homemade rootbeer with her husband, and, when able, would rather be outdoors playing with “the kids” or gardening instead of indoors. She had a wonderful sense of humor and wit, was very intelligent, and continued to crochet beautiful afghans and pillows even after the loss of her vision.

She is survived by her daughter, Lucille Coolidge, and her husband, Marvin, of Farmington; two stepdaughters, Linda Barker, and her husband, Jerry, of Temple, and Susanne Stevens and her husband, Albert, of Dover, N.H.; a stepson, David Gardner, and his wife, Lucille, of East Dixfield; a sister, Mildred Gordon, of Wilton; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Guy Stickney, Linwood Stickney, and Edward Girardin; and a grandson.