1922 – 2013

WEST PARIS — Edith Gwendolyn (Holt) Gardner passed away on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Ledgeview Living Center in West Paris following several years of declining health.

She was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Norway. She was the daughter of Harold and Marion (Hobbs) Holt. The Holt and Hobbs families were early settlers in Norway. Edith was raised in the Millettville neighborhood of Norway and graduated from Norway High School.

Edith married Howard Francis Gardner of South Waterford on Dec. 27, 1941. They resided for many years on High Street in South Paris, moving to Waterford Road in Norway following retirement. They spent many years traveling Maine in their camper and they were very fond of Camden Hills State Park. Edith worked in area retail stores and was a homemaker. She was a member of the South Paris Baptist Church.

Edith is survived by her three children, Bruce of Jacksonville Ala., Ruth Higgins and husband, Stephen, of Madeira Beach Fla. and Oakland, and Barbara Kyllonen and husband, Lauri, of Oxford; 12 grandchildren, Lisa Fahey and husband, Rob, of Bangor, Brian Gardner and wife, Karen, of S.C., Christopher Higgins and wife, Erica, of Texas, Kathleen Cunningham and husband, Butch, of Oakland, Rebecca Blakely and husband, Michael, of Colorado, Jeremy Smith and wife, Kelly, of Old Orchard, Jennifer Perez of England, Jason Smith and wife, Shannon, of Scarborough, Julie Niare and husband, Oumar, of Old Orchard, Jason Kyllonen of South Paris, Candi Kyllonen of Pennsylvania, and Jeffery Kyllonen of Chelsey; plus many great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are sister, Dolly Verrill of South Paris; sister-in-law, Dora Gardner of East Waterford; brothers-in-law, Bill Howe of Norway, Ralph Gardner of Harrison; plus many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband who passed away in 1998. She was also predeceased by her brother, Leonas Holt and wife, Faye, of Greenwood; sister, Anna Woodworth and husband, Lewis, of Sumner; brother-in-law, Lawrence Verrill of South Paris; sisters-in-law, Annie Gardner of South Waterford, Agnes Howe of Norway, Helen Gardner of Harrison; brother-in-law, Loren Gardner and wife, Alma, of Norway, and brother-in-law Edwin Gardner of East Waterford.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.