Lenore D. Gardner; Men’s Store Manager

Lenore D. Gardner of Ventura, a former manager for a men’s store, died Monday at a local extended-care center following a lengthy illness. She was 87.

She was born June 9, 1910, in Jefferson County, Pa. Her mother died during the 1918 flu epidemic.

A distinguished 1927 graduate of Pennsylvania’s Brookville High School, Gardner was awarded a $20 gold piece. After working in Chicago and New York, Gardner and her sister, Edith, came to California in 1932.

She was married to Robert F. Gardner, an advertising executive for Abbott Laboratories, in 1934. Robert’s father was Dr. Boyd S. Gardner, chairman of the dental department of the Mayo Clinic.

After five years in Scarsdale, N.Y., Robert Gardner began serving during World War II as an Army captain. He brought his family back to California after being transferred to the Pacific Theater. Palm Springs, Balboa Island and San Gabriel became the home-front locations for the family.

Lenore Gardner and her sister opened a children’s shop, De Val’s, and Gardner continued her merchandising career in Temple City, Covina and Ventura. She joined a department store in Pasadena in 1963, and by 1970 was promoted to a department manager for Desmond’s.

Gardner retired in 1975, then began studying foreign languages at Pasadena City and Ventura colleges. Family members say she enjoyed gardening and watching soap operas.

She was preceded in death by her son, Boyd S. Gardner II, in 1983. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Florian John, and her sisters Natalie, Edith and Mabel.

Gardner is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Gardner of Ventura.

No services are planned.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.

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Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.