Peggy Gardner Obituary

Gardner
Peggy Joyce Gardner
September 22, 1932
December 22, 2025

Peggy was born in Pampa, Texas in 1932. She was the oldest of four children parented with love by James Earl Mead and Opal Ritter Mead. Peggy graduated from Amarillo High School and then attended Amarillo Junior College. Peggy and husband J.B. Gardner moved to Colorado Springs in 1954, for J.B.'s job with Colorado Interstate Gas. Like her mother, Peggy ruled the roost - in a kind and gentle way. Once all the kids were in school, she went to work for School District 11, where she spent many years as office manager for the Instructional Materials Center. There, she gained many good friends (and fans) across the district.
Peggy was active in the Girl Scouts Wagon Wheel Council for ten years as a troop leader and troop organizer, and was a Cub Scout troop co-leader. After retiring in 1985, she served on the board of the School District 11 Credit Union, and years later on the board of the Fairway Village Homeowners Association. She was active in the Pikes Peak School and Public Employees Retiree Association, and for several years volunteered for Pikes Peak Hospice. Peggy was a member of First United Methodist Church, and she was an avid gardener, earning Colorado Master Gardener certification. Her children would certify she was also a master at the art of the family picnic in the mountains. In retirement, she and husband J.B. enjoyed traveling the U.S.
Peggy lost J.B. too early, to cancer in 1994, but that began another chapter of her life that lasted over 30 years. It was a time of gardening, volunteering, joy with grandchildren, and special friends at Fairway Village. There was hardship, too, as she was also preceded in death by her two younger siblings (Jim Mead, Jr. and Janie Mead Kressin) and two of her own children (Bryan Gardner and Elizabeth Gardner Kent). In her later years, she faced down eyesight, hearing and mobility challenges with grace and determination.
Peggy is survived by her sister, Marilyn Sherwood of Amarillo; children Cindy Gardner and Dave Gardner (Ruth) of Colorado Springs; and grandchildren Hunter Kent of Austin, Texas, Stephanie Gardner (Matt Coughlin) of Topsham, Maine and Ben Gardner of Colorado Springs. She is also survived by several nephews, nieces, and a sister-in-law.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Horticultural Art Society hasgardens.org. We love you and miss you, Mom!