- Date Of Birth: March 23, 1960
- Date Of Death: December 1, 2021
- State: Arizona
Kathleen Teresa Gardner passed peacefully on December 1, 2021 at home with her loved ones by her side. She was born to Steven and Maureen Woodall on March 23, 1960, the oldest of four children. Raised in the SF East Bay, she attended catholic schools including Moreau High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in business admistration from Hayward State University in 1983, and began her career at Ernst & Whinney (now EY) in San Francisco. Her determined working style, sharp wit and infectious laugh inspired both clients and colleagues and spawned many lifelong friendships. After earning her CPA credential, she moved to CitiBank where she continued to serve clients and accumulate lifelong friends.
While at EY, she met fellow new hire John Gardner. They married in 1988 and settled in Alameda’s Harbor Bay Island community, where they were blessed with daughter Jacqueline (Jackie) in 1990, and son John in 1993. Kathleen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, and undertook extensive therapies. The day after her final chemotherapy treatment she was back on her waterski, trading her wig for a wetsuit cap. She decided to leave the workforce and focus her full attention on raising her children. Five years later she resettled her family in the suburbs of London, driving Jackie and John to school daily and traveling Europe extensively. English life suited her and sparked many friendships, as well as a love of dogs. Upon returning to Alameda in 2002, her dear chocolate lab walking partner Chimay joined the family.
A lifelong learner, her personal hobbies ranged widely. Snow and water skiing. She expertly wielded a needle and thread to create fabulous clothes, costumes for the Bishop O’Dowd drama department, silk draperies, and custom baby blankets. Her design and organizational skills enabled her to manage a complete home remodel, where her passion for cooking resulted in a one-of-a-kind kitchen. Holiday block parties with home-cooked food were epic annual events. She read extensively and engaged in literary debriefs with the Great Women Book Club of Alameda. She loved theater, music, and greatly enjoyed time spent with her sewing club.
She is survived by her husband, John; her children Jackie and John; her parents Steven and Maureen; her siblings Marcie Zacharias, Steven Woodall and Michele Garcia; and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews.
