Yvonne Audrey Gardner

Yvonne Audrey Gardner was born on February 25, 1931 in Wandsworth Common, London, England and passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 64 years, Dennis Gardner, their daughter Melanie Agnew and her husband Glenn R. Agnew, sister in law, Jennifer Cuddeford of England and nieces and nephews. Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Phyllis Penn and her brother, Laurence Penn.

Yvonne grew up in Beckenham, County of Kent, England. She was eight years old in 1939 when World War II broke out. The family’s home was 12 miles from London and they were in the flight path of the German bombers.  Because of the incessant bombings in London, the British government mandated that all children be evacuated and she and her brother were temporarily sent to  the northern part of England, which was considered a safe place. They were eventually allowed to return to London, despite the fact the war was not yet over.

Yvonne attended the County Grammar School for girls in England from 1942-1949 and attended the City of London College from 1949-1950. She enjoyed playing the piano and swimming. From 1950-1957 she worked in various secretarial positions in London.

She married the love of her life, Dennis Gardner, on June 12, 1954 and on April 18, 1957, Yvonne and Dennis left England and came to the United States on the Queen Mary which docked in New York City on April 23, 1957. In 1961, they had their daughter, Melanie. They lived in New Jersey until 1963 when they decided to pack up the car and head west. They were attracted to New Mexico’s rare beauty and settled in Albuquerque where she remained for the rest of her life.

Yvonne volunteered at the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary organizing fund raisers. She was a member of the Daughters of the British Empire and was the local founding member of “The Cosmopolitan Association” a club for foreign born women which offered these ladies the opportunity to both socialize and fly to their various homelands via specially chartered flights at reduced prices. She also narrated fashion shows. She worked as a secretary at Presbyterian Hospital, at a travel agency, an advertising agency and as a secretary to the General Manager of New York Life Insurance Company before obtaining her realtor’s license, which was her true passion. In Addition to selling/listing houses, she and Dennis bought houses that needed to be renovated. Yvonne was a self- taught seamstress that did beautiful work. Besides making clothes, she made drapes, pillows and comforters, to name a few, and was a great interior decorator. Combined with Dennis’ carpentry, painting and handyman skills, they bought, renovated and sold 13 houses. Yvonne loved to laugh and had a beautiful smile. She enjoyed Snickers bars and her one nightly brandy and soda, which Dennis faithfully made for her. She adored their cat Daisey and Yvonne and Dennis liked classical music and operas.

In the latter part of her life, Yvonne began using the computer to write a book about World War II from her perspective. Unfortunately, due to the onset of her dementia, she was never able to complete it. She passed away peacefully at Northridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. We would like to thank Melissa Spiers, the Administrator of Northridge, Siobhan, the office manager and the entire staff for the care and service they provided. We would like to specifically recognize Jenny, the Health Services Director and Irene, Yvonne’s caretaker, both of whom developed special relationships with her and cared deeply for her. We would also like to thank Kindred Hospice, especially, Kathy, Dr. Kim and Normand.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that you please donate to Watermelon Mountain Ranch, New Mexico’s largest no kill animal shelter, located at 3251 Westphalia Loop, NE Rio Rancho, NM 87144.