Joan Virginia (Earle) Gardner, 87 years, passed away peacefully at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough on Feb. 14, 2021.
Joan was born in 1933 in Montreal, Canada, to Aubrey and Muriel Earle. She and her sister were raised and schooled in the Montreal area of Hampstead.
Joan was a gifted dancer, practicing and teaching ballet and tap for many years. She also had an artistic flair which was often reflected in her wardrobe and surroundings. Her appreciation for art never wavered and she was usually quick to point out what she liked or disliked.
Her family summered at Kennebunk Beach for years, which is where she met, and ultimately married, her husband, James Gardner in 1955. They settled in Kennebunk and raised four beautiful children and lots of dogs.
After the children were grown, Joan traveled extensively throughout Europe before finally returning to Maine. She was an avid tennis player and enjoyed working in the hospitality industry, particularly at the former Shawmut Inn in Kennebunkport.
At some point in time she registered for classes at the University of Southern Maine and earned a degree in social work. In her spare time, she made frequent trips to Boca Raton and Key West, Florida, to visit family and friends.
Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by two sons, Michael Gardner and Stephen Gardner.
She leaves behind her former husband, James Gardner; a son Christopher Gardner; a daughter Catherine McBride, all of Kennebunk; Marilyn Earle of Nanaimo, British Columbia; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two nieces and one nephew.
A very special thanks to all of the nurses, aides and caregivers who assisted Joan in her last few months of life.
Should friends desire, donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
A private memorial for Joan will be held at a later date.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Joan’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
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