Gretchen Foyt Gardiner Obituary (1950 - 2013)

NOBLEBORO - Gretchen Foyt Gardiner, 62, peacefully passed away at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, Jan. 1, 2013, after a brief illness. Gretchen was born in Augusta, Oct. 21, 1950, the daughter of Lionel and Bette Webb Foyt. Gretchen graduated from Winthrop High School in 1969. After graduation, she attended the University of Maine at Augusta, and graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in elementary education in 1974. On May 18, 1974, she married Jim Gardiner in Winthrop. Together they raised their family in Damariscotta Mills. Gretchen worked in South Bristol, Bristol, Damariscotta and Newcastle grade schools, substitute teaching in several long-term classes. She was also employed by the Winthrop Recreation Department, as a lifeguard and a swim instructor, for many years. She was also employed by L.L. Bean for many years. Gretchen had myriads of fond memories of growing up on High Street in Winthrop and playing with her many friends in the neighborhood, particularly her very dear friends Melody Macomber Jenkins and Judy Howard. She had many pastimes and had many interests. Gretchen enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, knitting, antiquing, reading, computer gaming and finding good deals with her father at Marden's. Her friend, David LaVallee, described Gretchen very well on Facebook, when he said, '... I can see Gretchen and her Mom, driving their open jeep through Winthrop, with her dog, Shenley, in the back, wearing a red bandana, on warm, sunny, summer days, and waving hello to everyone and with smiles on their faces that lit up the town.' Over the past few years, she truly enjoyed reconnecting with old friends in her online communities, especially the 'You Know You're from Winthrop When' site and Facebook. Most of all, Gretchen loved swimming, enjoying the warm sunshine, tanning and teaching three generations of Winthrop youngsters swimming lessons. She was a Red Cross water safety instructor and lifeguard for 40 years and was loved by her students. Her friend, Lynn Roberts Reed, summed this up well on Facebook, when she said, '... I have such fond memories of her from my childhood. Gretchen taught so many of us how to swim and was our lifeguard for so many years ... we all were able to roam freely at the Winthrop beach because Gretchen was there to watch over us.' Many of the youngsters Gretchen taught to swim later became lifeguards and swim instructors themselves at the Winthrop beach. She also spent many summers camping with her family on Cupsuptic Lake, in Oquossoc; and later, she spent many enjoyable summers with her family at the family camp on East Grand Lake in Weston. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother to her husband Jim and sons Luke and Micah. She was also a generous and caring daughter to her father, Lionel, and a loyal sister to her brothers, Scott and Jon. Gretchen is survived by her husband of 38 years, Jim; sons Luke Gardiner, and Micah Gardiner and partner Athena Benner; father Lionel Foyt; brothers Scott Foyt and his wife, Cathy, and Jon Foyt; sisters-in-law Susan Geyer and husband John, and Elain Hilton; brother-in-law Rob Gardiner and wife Roxanne; niece Tabitha Soule and husband Adam; nephews Ethan Foyt and wife Julie, Adam Foyt and partner Alisha Hartung, and Kyle Foyt-Bridges; and nephews Nick and wife Sarah Geyer, and Zachary Geyer and fiance Lindsay Gutek; niece Amanda Hilton and husband Dave Chisson; niece Ashley Hilton-Onarato and husband Isaiah; and niece Alexandra Gardiner; and nephews Dan and Ryan Gardiner. She will also be sadly missed by many great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her mother, Bette Webb Foyt. Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where a celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5. There will be a gathering of family and friends immediately following the service at the American Legion Post 40 in Winthrop. Memorial donations may be made to the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Memorial Program, Development Department, 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.