Pauline Ann (Densmore) Gardner

When Pauline Ann Densmore was born on January 12, 1938, in Jackson, Michigan, her father, Harold, was 26, and her mother, Lillian, was 21. Her oldest sister, Gladys Marie (who was always called “Marie”) was almost 4 (b. April 17, 1934). Her other sister, Beverly Helen was not yet 2 (b. April 8, 1936) Her brother, Kenneth Harold was born on March 30, 1939, in Jackson, Michigan, when Pauline Ann was 1 year old.

At about 23 months old, she was hospitalized and nearly died from an undetermined illness. When discharged from the hospital, she spent time in a tuberculosis sanitarium, although not diagnosed with TB.

At the age of 8 years, she contracted polio. The doctors said she would never walk again. Nor would she be able to bear children. They were wrong on both counts. She was hospitalized again at the age of 15 or 16 for approximately 3 months.

She had one child, Jacob John “Jack” Densmore (b. October 30, 1956) with Donald L. Lippert when she was 18 years old.  Two children, twin girls, Faith Ann and Mary Ann were born on April 30, 1959 with Roger Rudolph Alzner. Her daughter Mary Ann passed away on May 1, 1959, having lived about 11 hours. She raised Jack and Faith Ann as a single mother for many years, with help from her sister, Marie Densmore Cox and her mother, Lillian Joanne Woods Densmore. Around 1962, she contracted rheumatic fever, which left her with a heart murmur and low energy for many years.

Pauline Ann Densmore married Leslie Ray Gardner in Fairview, Michigan, on May 11, 1967, when she was 29 years old. Two years later she developed cancer and was hospitalized in Ann Arbor. She recovered after radiation treatments.

Pauline always loved little children. She taught Sunday School for the babies, toddlers, and kindergartners for many years at the Wesleyan (Methodist) church in Mio, MI. After completing her high school courses in night school with her mother-in-law, Edna Mae Oaks Gardner Knibbs in 1974, Pauline attended Kirkland College where she studied to be a teacher’s assistant for Special Needs children. She was beloved by nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and many others whose lives she touched.

Polly also loved to sing and would often do so with her sister, Marie. She led the singing at Emma Lowry church in Luzerne, MI for many years.

In approximately October of 2008, she underwent surgery for another bout with cancer. This slowed her down significantly.

Her parents, siblings, and husband preceded her in death. Since October, 2010 she has made her home with her daughter, Faith Ann in Collegedale, TN.  For many summers she made an annual trip to Mio, MI to visit family and friends.  In September of 2018, she was diagnosed with her third type of cancer at the age of 80.

Surrounded by family and friends, Polly passed to her rest on October 14, 2020 at 4:26 p.m. We look forward to that “Great Waking Up Mornin’.” She will always be remembered by her children, Jack (Linda) and Faith(Ken); her grandchildren, Tony, Catina, Anna, Kaitlin(Ryan), and KJ; her nieces and nephews, Arvella, Bobby, Tina, Chris, Kim, and Aimee; her great-grandchildren, Jordan and Remy, as well as her in-laws, Karl, Patty, Doug, Esther, Sue and Bob; and many friends, Stephanie, Elmer, Kathy, Kelly, Dr. Ann, Nurse Beth and the young adults of the “Revolving Door.” A memorial service will be held in the late spring or early summer in Mio, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to local food pantries or homeless shelters, as these were two of her favorite charities.

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