Joyce died Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 in Florida.  She was born Nov. 30, 1926 in Chelsea to Harry & Mable (Rowe) Foster. Joyce was a member of The Chelsea United Methodist Church where she & Russell Gardner married in 1946.  Russ preceded her in death Feb 8, 2011.  They were married for 64 years.

Joyce attended Chelsea schools, graduating in 1944.  She worked at The Chelsea Bank, babysat for several preschoolers, taught Sunday school, & was a Cub Scout den leader.  She worked in a real-estate office in Big Rapids & continued as an unofficial realtor in Lake Bonnet Village, Avon Park, Fl.  Her passion in later years was caring for neighbors’ dogs, after her own Samoyed, Bo died.  Her only fee was a “thank you” & a friendly tail-wag.  She was the richest person we knew, because of all her friends, both two & four legged!  Her corner of the park was the “Feeding Station” for a sundry of birds, squirrels, & bunnies; her coffee pot was always on; & puppy biscuits were in plentiful supply!

Joyce is survived by 3 children – daughter Sue (Tom) Wojcicki of Metamora, MI; son Tom (Linda) Gardner of Waitsfield, VT; & son Todd (Betty) Gardner of Priest River, ID; 8 grandchildren – Mike, Rob, Laura (Justin), Scott (Rachel), Jeff (Mosie), Lindsay (Luke), Dave (Liz), Jenny (Mike); & 3 great grandchildren – Clara, Oliver, & Lucy; plus many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry & Mable Foster; her brothers – Vern (Betty) Foster; Bob (Lona) Foster; & Dud (Ange) Foster, & husband, Russ Gardner. 

A Celebration of Life will be held for Joyce on Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at Lake Bonnet Village, Avon Park, Fl.