Shirley A. Buchanan Gardner, 93, died March 24, 2014, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, from complications of emphysema and COPD. Born in New York City, Shirley moved to New Jersey in 1924. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Weehawken, in 1937 at the tender age of 16. She then attended Columbia and Lee Business School, New York, for the next two years, graduating in 1939.
When World War II commenced, she became involved in the Lend Lease Program between the United States and England, working with the British Purchasing and the British Air Commission on Wall Street from 1940-45. She married her beloved George in 1942, prior to his deployment overseas. Her spare time was spent volunteering as an air raid warden in her hometown of Weehawken, New Jersey. She became an active member of the American Women’s Volunteer Services in New York and also sold war bonds doorto door. She spent long hours on the telephone/ radio marathon bond drives. A cherished thank-you note was received after the war from President Truman. As the war ended, Shirley joined the staff of the Associated Press and served as secretary to the editor of news features. She left her job in 1949 to raise her family.
After residing in Teaneck for 18 years, the family moved to Freehold Township in 1965, where she resided for the past 49 years. She became a charter member of the Molly Pitcher Woman’s Club of Freehold, organized in 1966, in Freehold Township. She participated in many volunteer services and throughout the past years held many positions within the club. She won many state awards in creative arts, conservation and garden projects. Shirley received the Molly Award in 1982 from her peers and was honored to have her name placed in the New Jersey State Federation Honors Book by the Molly Pitcher Woman’s Club in 2002, at the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs at Douglass College. She received her first communion in 1969 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Freehold, while her son, Gregory, was serving in the U.S. Army. Shirley embraced golf, skiing, badminton, tennis, painting, and all the arts. She had a great love for animals, birds, people and laughter. A very happy, optimistic life she lived.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband, George Hamilton Gardner Jr., in 1999. She is survived by her son, Gregory Hamilton Gardner of Freehold Township; three nieces and nephews, Lois and Joseph Peters of Spring Hill, Fla., Gail and Joseph Bolcar of McLean, Va., and Clare and Dr. Gianni Spera of Tucson, Ariz.; several grandnieces and grandnephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Molly Pitcher Woman’s Club of Freehold for its charitable works in the community, state and other areas of the United States and abroad. Checks can be sent to MPWC of Freehold, 670 W. Main St., Freehold, NJ 07728. Shirley will be reunited with her beloved husband, George, at the Maplewood Chapel Mausoleum in Freehold Township on the date of their wedding anniversary, June 6.