Mary Lou Gardiner

Mary Lou Gardiner, 85, a long time Spokane resident and volunteer, died peacefully in her south hill home Wednesday, May 25, 2016, of natural causes. Mary Lou Griffith was born on March 3, 1931, in Jefferson City, Mo., where she grew up the youngest of three children. She attended Jefferson City High School, the University of Missouri-Columbia and Washington University-St. Louis where she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing. There, she married Dr. Jeremy H. Kennedy and moved to the Pacific Northwest and never returned to her Midwestern roots. She was fond of saying she never missed the humidity of her hometown and loved the four seasons of Spokane. They had two children and divorced in 1964. She then married Dr. Eugene R. Gardiner in 1966 and was married to him for 30 years before his passing in 1996. Together, they enjoyed many years of entertaining and traveling. Mrs. Gardiner was known to many as a beautiful collector, avid entertainer and most of all, her opulent Christmas decorations which caught the attention of several national publications. During the holidays, walking into Mrs. Gardiner's home was indeed a fairytale come true. Mrs. Gardiner was active in many civic and alumni organizations during her life, including the Rockwood Garden Club, a patron to the National Republican Party, Washington University in St. Louis Alumnae, and numerous others. But perhaps her most fervent energy went to the tireless volunteer efforts of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity; the sorority of her collegiate years at the University of Missouri. She dedicated decades of time, money and energy to "The Kappa's," and served as a National Officer. She travelled the country raising money for the group and for scholarships for young women. An honored member of the alumni association, Mrs. Gardiner received her 65-year pin from the organization just last year during a reception. Aside from her profession as a surgical nurse for the Spokane Eye Clinic, this was Mrs. Gardiner's greatest passion. She is survived by: daughter, Kristan Kennedy of Hayden Lake, Idaho; her brother, John Griffith of Jefferson City, Mo.; grandchildren, Maxwell Watkins of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Bethany Watkins of Chicago, Ill.; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family who all have fond memories of Mrs. Gardiner as "one of a kind." She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary Belle and Harry Griffith of Jefferson City, Mo.; her husband, Dr. Eugene R. Gardiner; her brother, Boyd Griffith; and her son, Kevin Griffith Kennedy. A memorial service for Mrs. Gardiner will be held Thursday, June 23, 2016, at 6 p.m. at St. John's Cathedral in Spokane, Wash. In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Mary Lou Gardiner and Kevin Kennedy memorial fund at St. John's Cathedral.