Shirley Covert Gardner of Hockessin, DE, passed away peacefully on February 14th, 2025, surrounded by her family. Shirley was the epitome of warmth and grace and always greeted people with an open smile.
She was born in Dallas, PA, to John and Kathryn Covert. The family moved to Delaware when she was in grade school and it was at Krebbs Middle School that she met her soulmate, Philip Howard Gardner. They were married in 1954 and together raised three children: Susan Gardner LaMedica (John), Linda Gardner Mullin (Kerry), and John Gardner (Tim Whelan).
Shirley graduated from Conrad High School in 1952, where she was a star athlete and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” She earned a business degree from Goldey Beacom College and then worked as an executive secretary for the Atlas Powder Company for several years. After the birth of their second child, she stayed home to focus on her family. Phil’s career took the family across the country, and she made homes in Mount Vernon, IL, Virginia Beach, VA, New Orleans, LA, and Newark, DE.
Shirley was a wonderful wife and mother. Her family was her world, and her favorite times were those spent with her husband, children and grandchildren. Shirley also had many interests outside of the home. Her Faith and Church were a big part of her life – she was a Stephen Minister and was involved in Church Circles, United Methodist Women, and many other activities. Shirley was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church for over 53 years. Fast to make friends wherever she went, she was an avid bridge player and bowler.
Shirley loved sports; any time you walked into their home you could be sure to see a game on the tv. They never missed any of their grandchildren’s sporting events or theater performances. Shirley & Phil loved to travel around the US and overseas. They had a beach home in Rehoboth for 25 years and were snowbirds in Florida for 17 years. A lifetime of memories were made with children and grandchildren.
Family was the center of Shirley’s life; in addition to her husband and children she leaves behind four grandchildren: Kyle Mullin (Melissa), Emily Mullin Pate (Justin), Nick LaMedica (Kate Hoffman), and Kelsey Whelan (Nick Winikoff), and four (soon to be five) great grandchildren: Adelaide, Alexandra, and Ainsley Pate, Brianna Mullin, and Baby Winikoff (due in June).
Shirley was predeceased by her parents, John and Kathryn Covert, and her three siblings: Elizabeth (Beth) Price, John (Jack) Covert, and Jane Langshaw.
Services will be held on Monday, February 24th, 2025, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark, DE.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., followed by a service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity in Shirley’s memory.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Gardner, please visit our flower store.
She was born in Dallas, PA, to John and Kathryn Covert. The family moved to Delaware when she was in grade school and it was at Krebbs Middle School that she met her soulmate, Philip Howard Gardner. They were married in 1954 and together raised three children: Susan Gardner LaMedica (John), Linda Gardner Mullin (Kerry), and John Gardner (Tim Whelan).
Shirley graduated from Conrad High School in 1952, where she was a star athlete and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” She earned a business degree from Goldey Beacom College and then worked as an executive secretary for the Atlas Powder Company for several years. After the birth of their second child, she stayed home to focus on her family. Phil’s career took the family across the country, and she made homes in Mount Vernon, IL, Virginia Beach, VA, New Orleans, LA, and Newark, DE.
Shirley was a wonderful wife and mother. Her family was her world, and her favorite times were those spent with her husband, children and grandchildren. Shirley also had many interests outside of the home. Her Faith and Church were a big part of her life – she was a Stephen Minister and was involved in Church Circles, United Methodist Women, and many other activities. Shirley was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church for over 53 years. Fast to make friends wherever she went, she was an avid bridge player and bowler.
Shirley loved sports; any time you walked into their home you could be sure to see a game on the tv. They never missed any of their grandchildren’s sporting events or theater performances. Shirley & Phil loved to travel around the US and overseas. They had a beach home in Rehoboth for 25 years and were snowbirds in Florida for 17 years. A lifetime of memories were made with children and grandchildren.
Family was the center of Shirley’s life; in addition to her husband and children she leaves behind four grandchildren: Kyle Mullin (Melissa), Emily Mullin Pate (Justin), Nick LaMedica (Kate Hoffman), and Kelsey Whelan (Nick Winikoff), and four (soon to be five) great grandchildren: Adelaide, Alexandra, and Ainsley Pate, Brianna Mullin, and Baby Winikoff (due in June).
Shirley was predeceased by her parents, John and Kathryn Covert, and her three siblings: Elizabeth (Beth) Price, John (Jack) Covert, and Jane Langshaw.
Services will be held on Monday, February 24th, 2025, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark, DE.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., followed by a service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity in Shirley’s memory.
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