Beatrice L. Gardner

Beatrice Libby Edelstein Gardner, 91, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, was born January 19, 1935, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of the late Anna (née Bloom) and Hyman Edelstein. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Janette and Gertrude, and her two brothers, Bemmy and Morris.

Bea, as she preferred to be called, later moved to Tippecanoe, Ohio, after marrying Clifford Gardner, who also preceded her in death. Although she spent much of her life living in Ohio, she always considered Chelsea to be her true home.

Bea was a self-taught homemaker who loved to cook and bake. She would spend hours sitting in her chair reading cookbooks. She enjoyed having her friend and neighbor Wilma over to make bread, noodles, and pie crust.

She also loved shopping (and finding those good deals) and had a wide array of things she collected. Later in life, her passion was her cats. She referred to them as her "babies." She also enjoyed watching wrestling on Friday nights.

Bea was a very attentive and loving mother. She had five girls, Donna Gardner (Randy), Kathy Gardner (Rick), Robin Walker, Debra (Roger) Brokaw, and Amy (Ron) Eckley, and a son, Clifford (Peg) Gardner, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Always a strong-spirited woman, once she set her mind to something, she achieved it. Bea had an unforgettable personality; most people remembered her vividly after just a single meeting.

In keeping with Bea’s wishes, she will be cremated without a visitation, and her family will celebrate her life privately. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions honoring her memory may be made to the donor’s local cat shelter. Bea’s family extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Sycamore Run Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, as well as Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice.

We love you, Mom. Rest in peace.