Sarah Anne (Wolfe) Gardner

Mrs. Sarah Anne Gardner, 90, of Eldersburg, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, MD. Born August 22, 1933 in Cumberland, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late John Lloyd Wolfe and Cornelia May Clark Wolfe. She was the wife of the late James Richard Gardner and sister of the late Genevieve Wolfe Twigg. As a child, Sarah Anne gathered milkweed for the making of parachutes used in World War II. She was a Rainbow Girl member and Worthy Advisor, and a member of the Girl Scouts. Sarah Anne played violin in the Cumberland Civic Symphony and served as organist for Redeemer’s Reformed Church in Ellerslie, MD at the age of 16. While attending Allegany High School she was presented with the Award for Excellence in Senior English. After graduating from Memorial Hospital’s School of Nursing in Cumberland, Sarah Anne received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Magna Cum Laude) from University of Pittsburgh. She served as a Registered Nurse in a variety of positions for the next four decades, including nearly 30 years as an RN and a Nursing Instructor at Springfield State Hospital Center in Sykesville, MD. Since the late 1950’s Sarah Anne was a faithful member of Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church in Eldersburg. She was a serious student of the Bible and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She also served as a layperson, chaired the committee to build the fellowship hall and an education wing, and participated in many church groups, including the Questionables, Keenagers and United Methodist Women. She also expressed her passion for community service by serving as an officer with Eastern Star and playing piano for her daughter’s chapter of Job’s Daughters.​ As a young girl, Sarah Anne enjoyed swimming, basketball, bicycling, roller skating , and playing violin and piano. As an adult , she enjoyed traveling with her husband and found pleasure attending water aerobics classes. She had a green thumb and greatly enjoyed flower gardening her entire life. She is survived by daughter Elizabeth A. Gardner Tompkins and husband Rodney Tompkins, son John Lloyd Gardner, granddaughter Emily Tompkins, nieces Cornelia T. Splichal, Anne W. Ertel, Carla Trump, Susan Michau, Maria Pobre and Carol Gardner, and nephews Tom Earl, George Earl and David Fabrick. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church, 961 Johnsville Road, Sykesville, MD 21784, with pastor, the Rev. Jenny Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Lake View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the Jeffrey Zumbrun Funeral Home, 6028 Sykesville Road, Eldersburg, MD, on Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, sympathies may be expressed in contributions to Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church, Bridging Life Hospice, Springfield Hospital Center Volunteer Services, or the Resident Assistance Program at Carroll Lutheran Village. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jnzumbrunfuneralhome.com .​

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