Jacqueline A. Gardner Obituary
Jackie Gardner (nee Burns), 62, of Pohatcong Township, NJ, passed away surrounded by her friends and family on the evening of February 13th, a year and a half longer than the terminal cancer sentence she received. Her team at Sloan Kettering deserves credit for extending her life, but it was really her love of that life that kept her going.
Jackie was born in Philadelphia to Joseph Burns (deceased) and Jacqueline Poole. She is survived by her husband, the love of her life, John Gardner, and her children, Stephanie Plaza and spouse Clinton Plaza, Ian Gardner and spouse Chelsea Gardner, and Mollie Chambergo and spouse Matthew Chambergo. She is also survived by her six grandchildren with whom she was obsessed: Emily, Matthew, Liam, Killian, Scarlett, and Noah; as well as her brothers Joseph, Matthew and Christian Burns.
Jackie was an entrepreneur. In her early 20s, she started a very successful business with her father, which led her to find her true love, John. While Jackie loved being the boss (when Joe wasn't around), she wanted to focus her time on her family and left the business to later find the joy of teaching. After a few stints at rural schools, she ultimately found her path at Trexler Middle School in the Allentown School District teaching 7th and 8th grade science, dubbing herself the "scientist of the family". The children Jackie taught, many of whom are now adults, held a special place in her heart and she reflected on them often. While she loved teaching, her real joys came from spending time with her family, gardening, fighting with Republicans on Twitter, relaxing on the beach with a book and being in the company of her closest girlfriends chatting over wine. She could be found most often sitting on the porch with John, relishing in the sounds of her grandchildren frolicking in the yard surrounded by her neighborhood tribe.
Jackie will be remembered most of all for the love and kindness she spread to all who were welcome in her circle. She gave the absolute best advice, and many have shared her philosophy of "keeping your pie full". Her sharp tongue and sense of humor kept all those who loved her on their toes. One never knew when she would strike, and her contagious laugh could really get a crowd going. When Jackie laughed, the world laughed with her.
We ask that you remember Jackie when the early spring daffodils bloom, when the warm summer air rolls on shore off the Atlantic Ocean, when you slow dance in your kitchen with your love and when you're pouring the cheapest white wine you have over a glass of ice.
Visitation will be held at Finegan Funeral Home, 924 2nd Ave, Alpha, NJ on Friday February 16th from 10 am to 12 pm followed by a celebration lunch at Parkview in Easton, PA.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the "Always a Bulldog Scholarship" at: Allentown School District Foundation, Attn: Always a Bulldog Scholarship Fund, 31 S. Penn Street, Allentown, PA 18102. Contributions can also be sent through Venmo to @bulldogfund with memo "scholarship" and code 9866.
