Betty J. Gardner

Betty McCandless Gardner, 92, passed away on Friday, September 28, 2018. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO.

Betty was born March 20, 1926 in Santa Barbara, California to Orville and Georgia McCandless. Betty was a daughter of California whose maternal grandmother, Julia Dominquez, came from Spanish settlers who settled in California in the 18th century. Her Grandfather, Peter Storni, emigrated from Switzerland in the late 19th century and served as Constable of Santa Barbara County in the early 20th century.

In 1943 Betty met Paul H. Gardner, Sr., who was serving in the United States Marine Corps at a Marine Corps aircraft maintenance facility in Goleta, California. After Mr. Gardner’s honorable discharge from the Marines in May1946, Paul and Betty were engaged and later married in Kansas City on November 1, 1947. They were married 61 years and raised their three children in Kansas City, Missouri. Betty is survived by sons Paul Hendricks Gardner, Jr. and wife Linda of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Peter Stuart Gardner and wife Ann, of Seattle, Washington; and daughter Pamela Jane Castagnola and husband David, of Reno, Nevada. Betty also leaves three Grandsons, Peter Gardner of Kansas City, Missouri, Thomas Gardner of Denver, Colorado and Jacob Castagnola of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Betty was a loving mother who was proud that each of her children had obtained college educations and became productive citizens. During her long life she also saw her Grandchildren grow to adulthood and was particularly proud that each grandson obtained college educations. Betty’s life exhibited the best qualities of the “Greatest Generation”. She now returns to her husband Paul after a life well lived-loved and honored by family and friends.

Service: 10AM, Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Park Lawn Funeral Home