Ila Gardner, 68, resident of Bailey, Colorado, and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, passed away from ALS — Lou Gehrig’s disease — on May 17 in Colorado.
Ila was best known for her love of the Caribbean islands and as the little lady who tried her best to keep St. John free of litter and as beautiful as Mother Nature had intended.
Born in Montgomery, West Virginia, Ila obtained her undergraduate and master’s degree in social work from West Virginia University. She married John on June 12, 1960, in Morgantown, West Virginia.
After several years of living on military bases in New Jersey and Illinois, Ila and John moved to Wisconsin.
A loving mother and homemaker, Ila was also elected to the Middleton School Board for 10 years.
She was a resident of Madison and Middleton, Wisconsin for 30 years and retired with John to Bailey, Colorado, and St. John in 1998.
Along with being an accomplished pianist, Ila also enjoyed snorkeling, scuba diving, and gardening.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, John Gardner; son and daughter-in-law Keith and Christi Gardner; son and daughter-in-law Eric Gardner and Kim Rachjai-bun; daughter and son-in-law Deborah Gardner and Bill Evans; and four grandchildren: Sarah Gardner, Andrew Evans, Kayla Gardner, and Kyle Evans; and sister Danna Paglino.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: ALS Rocky Mountain Chapter, 1201 E. Colfax Avenue, #202, Denver, CO 80218.
