In Memory of Jean M. Gardner, 100, Calligrapher for Lee Hat Factory in Danbury

BETHEL, CT — Jean M. (Kelly) Gardner, 100, of the Western Rehabilitation Center in Danbury, formerly of Greenwood Avenue in Bethel, entered into eternal rest on September 9, 2016. Jean was born in Danbury on October 29, 1915 to the late John and Cecilia Nowlan Kelly, and was the widow of Albert C. Gardner. She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, John "Bud" Kelly and Josephine McCluskey Kelly, also of Danbury, and is survived by her four children, Joseph Gardner of Danbury; Ann (Edward) McLain of Anchorage, Alaska; Regina Gardner of Hamden; and William (Laurie) Gardner of Southington, Connecticut, her five grandchildren, Michael Tortora of New Haven; Mary Gardner of Southport; Christopher McLain of Bellvue, Washington; Kathryn Gardner of Brooklyn, New York; and Kelly McLain of San Francisco, California.

Jean was a longtime employee of the Lee Hat Factory, where she worked after graduating from Danbury High School in 1923. She was able to obtain a lucrative job at Lee's during the Great Depression writing tickets (the labels that went inside each of the hats) as a result of her beautiful penmanship. After Al's return from World War II, they married and moved to Cheshire. When Al passed in 1962, Jean and her four children moved to Bethel to live with her sister-in-law, the late Kathryn Gardner.

Jean worked in the Bethel Tax Office for over 20 years, and then for the Medvecky Law Firm, until her voluntary retirement at age 80. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 26 Dodgingtown Road in Bethel on Wednesday, September 14 at 10 a.m. Burial followed in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.

Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel is handling arrangements. To light a candle or leave on-line condolence visit Hullfuneralservice.com.