Margaret Godfrey Gardner

Mrs. Margaret Godfrey McLachlan Dodds Gardner, 90, recently of Country Meadows Retirement Community, Frederick, MD and formerly of Scranton, PA passed to eternal life on Monday, June 25, 2012 surrounded by her family. Born in Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, Scotland on March 13, 1922, she was the daughter of John Dodds and Lizzie Gilchrist Douglas Dodds. She was eldest of 5 siblings, James who died an infant, twins Mary and Liz and a younger brother Andy. Peggy came to America in 1924 on a 5 day voyage from Edinburgh with her mother and brother James to meet her father who was already working in the mines. They relocated to Scranton, where the family grew and was raised. After marrying Ira Henry Gardner, son of Rexford and Hazel Gardner of Scranton, they moved to Washington, DC, then to Hyattsville, MD before moving back to Scranton to retire. In 2004 they came back to Maryland and Country Meadows to live closer to their children. Peggy worked for the Prince Georges County Board of Education in Maryland, as a aide for handicapped and special needs children. She was active all of her life in the church community, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and being a Deacon. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Ira Henry Gardner, but is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Deering and son in-law Donald of Frederick; son, Allen Leslie Gardner and wife Suzanne who live abroad; sisters Mary Jenkin and Elizabeth Hamborsky, both of Scranton; brother Andrew Douglas Dodds of Scranton; 5 grandchildren, Kirsten Lynn Asuncion and husband Dr. Joseph Asuncion of Knoxville, MD; Justin Deering of San Francisco; Laura Gardner Nisiwaki and husband Tesheki of Virginia and Michael Gardner of Crofton, MD; great-grandchildren Dominique Asuncion of Philadelphia, PA, Alexandra Asuncion, US Naval Academy and Jacqueline Asuncion; beloved nieces and nephews, Nancy Walsh and son Bob, Cynthia Dagger and husband Richard and children, Judy Emiliani and husband Jack and children, Ralph Jenkin and wife Darlene; her beloved neighbors, friends and loving staff at Country Meadows. Mom will be remembered for her quiet faith, personal strength and unconditional love for friends, neighbors and family, but most of all, for her ever present smile. A service to honor her will be conducted by Pastor Terri Driver-Bishop on Saturday, June 30th, 10 am at Mount Olivet Mausoleum Chapel; with interment immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kline Hospice House, 516 Trail Avenue, PO Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702 Arrangements are by Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, P.A., 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD.