Marlyn Gardner passed away on Sept. 20, 2022 at the University of California, Davis Hospital, in Sacramento, after being admitted for COVID-19 symptoms, as she was approaching her 94th birthday. Her devoted daughter Lissa was at her bedside holding her hand, as she delivered Marlyn to her eternal love, her husband Bernard Gardner, who passed in 2017.
Marlyn was born in Butler, Penn., in 1928. She was the youngest of nine children born to Max and Bessie Arnovitz. She was proceeded in death by her mother, father, and eight siblings; Sarah, Samuel, Morris, Paul, Alyce, Pearl, Arthur, and Pressley.
In 1953, Marlyn married Bernard Gardner, the love of her life, and they resided in Elmhurst for about 54 years. They were devoted to each other and were married for more than half a century. Their eternal love affair was always on display, holding hands, sitting on their backyard bench together, enjoying the birds and chipmunks who visited and felt safe in their company.
Bernie and Marlyn had two daughters, Dr. Amy Ifatolu Gardner and Lissa J. Gardner. Marlyn is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Marlyn worked in the gift shop at the Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Arts. They also enjoyed the company of their “adopted” family, next-door neighbors Lisa and Joe Laurx and their three children.
After Bernie’s death, Marlyn insisted on remaining in the family home. However, in 2021, she relocated to Sunrise Assisted Living in Sacramento to be closer to her daughters. While at Sunrise, Marlyn was active in her exercise classes. Whenever there was music at the facility Marlyn was there. She loved to dance with Lissa to the music of the Sweet G’s whenever the husband and wife team entertained the residents. Marlyn was an avid reader and played Bingo with her friends at Sunrise. Dining with Lissa at Andy Nguyen’s every weekend gave her great pleasure. She was a huge fan of the French fries and ordered them at every meal. Marlyn was an advocate of pro-choice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Planned Parenthood. Arrangements provided by the family.
