Marianna Elizabeth Gardner

Marianna Elizabeth Gardner, 101, passed peacefully to her heavenly home on August 25, 2022. Marianna was the oldest of five daughters born to Pauline and Ray Gardner. She resided most of her life in Williamstown, Ky and moved to Seasons at Alexandria in 2021.

Marianna’s life was defined by service. She was engaged in her church and community. She was a strong female leader - - somewhat ahead of her time. Her first job was working in a factory during World War II making airplane parts. Following the war, she realized a dream of opening her own business, Marianna’s Beauty Salon located in downtown Williamstown. She owned and operated the salon until the Wiggington building, where her business was located, burned on December 26, 1983. She took care of aging parents while working until their deaths. After owning her own business, she focused her service in the community driving a school bus for Grant County Schools for 17 years and served as the first female elected to the Williamstown City Council. She was a council member from 1982 – 1994.  Marianna was a long-time member of Williamstown United Methodist Church where she was a choir member and Finance Chairperson. She served as Treasurer of the church for 50+ years and was also elected to several positions with United Methodist Women. She enjoyed golf, boating and road trips - - especially those to the beach. She faithfully cheered for the UK Men’s Basketball team and CincinnatiReds.

Marianna never married and took great pleasure engaging with her nieces and nephews and their families. A favorite memory shared by her sister, Viola, was related to holiday gatherings and Marianna always encouraging the nieces and nephews to “clean their plates.” She rewarded them with a nickel for doing so. As a beautician, “Aunt Mannie” gave many of her nieces and nephews their first haircuts. Marianna was preceded in death by her parents, Pauline and Ray Gardner and sisters Sarah Whitson and Margaret Surface. Her beloved “Maxie – fur baby” passed in 2020.

Survivors include her sisters, Viola Kinman (Fort Wright, KY) and Juanita Elslager (Burlington, KY), 17 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at the Williamstown United Methodist Church, 206 Paris St., Williamstown, KY.
Visitation is from 10:00 AM to Noon followed by a Celebration of Life service at noon.

The family thanks the staff of Seasons at Alexandria and especially the compassionate team in the Magnolia community for their care of Marianna. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Williamstown United Methodist Church (206 Paris Street, Williamstown, KY 41097) or Seasons at Alexandria (7341 East Alexandria Pike, Alexandria KY 41001) in Marianna’s memory.