Alfrieda Corey Gardner of Lebanon, Pa. passed away peacefully on Sept. 17, 2021 at Centre Avenue Health in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Born Friday, March 13, 1931 in Bridgeville, she was the daughter of the late Alfred R. and Mary T. (Palmer) Corey and sister to the late Evelyn Bell, Roberta Stewart, and Palmer Corey. She grew up on her parent’s farm southeast of Bridgeville. She was the youngest and sported bright, blond hair and wire-framed glasses that accented her curious green eyes.
In 1948 she met, John L. Gardner of Brunswick, Georgia and the two began dating regularly, earning themselves the nickname, “the Sweethearts”. She graduated from Bridgeville High School in 1949 and briefly attended Goldey College in Wilmington. On Nov. 4, 1950, John and Frieda were married and only a few short years later became proud new parents of Margaret Faye.
Frieda and John moved to Lebanon, Pa. around this time where she worked at several jobs, building her career as an executive secretary. She finished her career at General Electric Corporation as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President until her retirement in 1996.
Family was always important to her, as anyone who knew her frequently heard through her wonderful, colorful stories of life on the farm.
Throughout the years, Frieda helped those around her, being caretaker to her parents and even her own husband who suffered from an injury sustained in the Korean War. She was always ready and willing to help not just family, but any friend or neighbor in need. The Gardners were known for hosting wonderful parties, particularly their Christmas tree trimmings.
In 2017 she moved out to Colorado to be closer to her grandson and his wife, Bryan and Terra Lamoreaux, and their two children, Skylar and Theodore. Bryan and Terra lovingly cared for her in their home, forming great memories with family towards the end of her life.
Frieda was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her loving husband John and their daughter Faye. In addition to her grandson and family, she is survived by her nieces, R. Lynn Soltis of Churchton, Md., Suzanne Moore of Rehoboth Beach, Libby Gregg of Hockessin; and two nephews James Stewart of Dover and Doug Corey of Bridgeville; and by many cherished extended family and friends.
She will be deeply missed, although her memory will live on in the hearts and actions of those whose lives she touched with her stories, humor, and love.
At Frieda’s request, interment will be private. She will be intered next to her beloved husband John at Cokesbury Cemetery in Bridgeville. If anyone feels so led, the Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Pa. played a large part in her life and contributions may be made to them in her memory.