Bellingham—Mildred J. (Thornhill) Gardner 86, a Franklin native and longtime Bellingham resident, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday evening November 30, 2011. She was the wife of the late Wilbur G. “Barney” Gardner, who died in 1977.
Born in Plymouth, November 29, 1925 a daughter of the late James and Mary (Murray) Thornhill, she was raised and educated in Franklin. She retired from the former Franklin House Healthcare Center on Chestnut St. in Franklin where she worked for many years in the housekeeping department.
She was a member of the Bellingham Baptist Church.
She is survived by a son, Wilbur G. Gardner Jr. of Bellingham, 2 daughters; Margaret Jason of Medway, and Deborah Butero of Millville, a brother, Leonard Thornhill of Franklin, 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
She was the mother of the late Betty Holbrook, and Michelle Costantineau, the sister of the late; Walter, Edward, Clifford, James, and Robert “Pop” Thornhill, Louise Doyle, Irene Cook, and Florence Lanagan. She was also the grandmother of the late Keith Schwenker.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service Monday at 10:00AM in the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. Franklin, www.franklinfuneral.com, with Rev. Richard Mosher officiating.
Burial will follow in the family lot in Union Cemetery, Bellingham.
Calling hours are Sunday Dec. 4th, from 3-7PM.
Donations in her memory sent to the American Cancer Society 5 Manley St. West Bridgewater, MA 02379 would be appreciated.