Mary Catherine Gardner
Mary Catherine Gardner
Mary Catherine Gardner
July 25, 1986 – May 15, 2021
Albia, Iowa | Age 34
Mary Catherine Gardner, age 34, a Baltimore native currently residing in Albia, IA, passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at MercyOne in Des Moines, IA. Mary was born July 25, 1986 to Eric “Ric” Gardner and Theresa Marie Plum in Baltimore, MD.
Mary grew up in Crownsville, Md attending school and graduated in 2004 from Old Mill High School in Millersville, Maryland.
Mary worked as a caregiver and a Vet assistant, but most importantly she loved her two daughters more than all of the dolphins in the ocean. She loved music and was a fierce Beth Hart fan. As a child she danced. She danced alone, with her little brother Hunter, on the wood stove, or with all of her cousins at Aunt Katy’s house. She had many friends. No one that ever touched her heart was forgotten by her. She was a lover of nature and the outdoors. She enjoyed fishing, hiking, collecting rocks, campfires, rope swinging, swimming and climbing trees. Mary also loved animals and rescued many of them. She cherished her family and loved to spend time at the family reunions.
Mary is survived by 2 daughters, Ava Rose and Mira Jane; her father Ric Gardner; her mother, Theresa Plum; her other mother, Marsha Gardner whom she loved dearly; 5 brothers: Jerry (& Amanda) Smoot, Jeff (& Jennifer) Smoot, John (& Cara) Gardner, Hunter Gardner, and Eric Lau; her grandfather, John Hoffman; and her grandmother, Carolyn Plum. Mary is also survived by her loving partner Justin Pettyjohn; her best friend since childhood, Jessica Lynn; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and good friends.
She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Mary Hoffman; her grandfather, James Plum Sr.; and sister-in-law, Carrie Wright Smoot.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, IA, with Bob Mort officiating.
Burial will follow services at Oak View cemetery in Albia.
A memorial has been established to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
Mary’s family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the hospital staff at MercyOne in Des Moines, IA.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Catherine Gardner please visit the Tharp Funeral Home Sympathy Store.
