Cecilia Gardner

Cecilia E. (Cele) Gardner died on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Born on May 29, 1945 in West Allis, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Maude and Robert Gardner. Cele grew up in Tupper Lake until the family moved back to Wisconsin, where she attended college at the Marquette University School of Journalism in Milwaukee. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City and began her long and distinguished career as an editor of college textbooks, working first at Harcourt, Brace and World, then Random House, McGraw Hill and lastly at Worth Publishers. Her family and friends were the grateful recipients of her gifts of wonderful books, given for all occasions; she loved to read and enjoyed fostering the appreciation of a good book. She also loved her cats and the music of Bruce Springsteen.

She is survived by her sisters, brother and in-laws: Mary Gardner of Hopewell Junction, NY; Bill and Cathy Gardner of Fayetteville, NC; Lorraine Gardner and Donald Holly of Oregon, WI; Colette and Michael Finnegan of Monroeville, PA; Rita and John Quinn of Tupper Lake, NY; Cathy Helmke and Terry Williams of Brewer, ME; and Liz and Chris Janiszewski of Gainesville, FL. She is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly: Geoff, Danny and Catie Gardner; Camille and Anne Holly; Owen, Kristen and Bridget Finnegan; Leah and Brendan Quinn; Scott Helmke; and Elise, Christopher and Nicole Janiszewski. Her professional colleagues and her many other friends became her extended family during her more than 40 years living in Manhattan.

A memorial and burial service will be held in July 2010. To honor her memory, give someone something good to read, donate a book or magazine to a library or school, or offer to read to someone who cannot. Online condolences may be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.