Mary Gardner

Mary Gardner (nee  Malone) passed away on May 14, 2020, at the age of 93.  Mary was a leader in many civic and cultural institutions, including serving as president of the Women’s Committee for the Cleveland Museum of Art; director emeritus of the Cleveland Institute of Art and, member of the board of directors at the Cleveland Sight Center.  She turned her passion for art and design into her own business in the 1970s, Mary Gardner Interiors, working into her 90s.

A longtime resident of Shaker Heights, Mary spent the last few years at South Franklin Circle in Chagrin  Falls.  She and her husband enjoyed traveling on historical and cultural adventures, often with the Decorative Arts Trust.  The beloved wife of the late Joseph Edward Gardner, she is survived by her children Pamela G. Foster (Russell Chechele), Cynthia G. Koury, Joseph E. Gardner III (Melissa), grandchildren Elizabeth, Katherine (Sam Sterling), Joseph and Wesley and her sister Ellen Freer (Richard).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106.  A service will be scheduled later in the year.