Mary Ann Gardner

Mary Ann Welsh Gardner, age 88, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 10, 2017. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 275 Southfield Road, in Shreveport, LA at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017. Father Paul Martin and Chaplain James Cote will officiate. A reception will follow in the church parlor. Ann was born on October 7, 1928, in Shreveport, LA. A graduate of C.E. Byrd High School, she attended Randolph Macon College and graduated from Sophie Newcomb with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. She received a Master's Degree in Clothing and Textiles from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Art Institute San Miguel de Allende. She taught art appreciation at Louisiana Tech University until Louisiana State University, in Shreveport opened in 1967 and she became their first Professor of Art. She served in that capacity until her marriage to James Creswell Gardner in 1978. During their 32 wonderful years of marriage they traveled the world and gave back to their community with servant's hearts. As an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, she continued to grow in her knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. She enjoyed participating in the cultural life of Shreveport. She actively contributed to The Colonial Dames, Shreveport Symphony, Twentieth Century Club, Spring Street Museum and the English Speaking Union. As a born teacher and artist, she loved learning and sharing her knowledge. She especially enjoyed reading, all of the arts and traveling. She adored her family and enjoyed friends of all ages from all walks of life throughout her life. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Lee Welsh and Irene Johnson Welsh Pyburn; her sister, Martha Welsh Schober and husband Dr. Charles C. Schober; and her husband, the Honorable James Creswell Gardner former Mayor of Shreveport. She is survived by her daughters, Martha Terzia Hannigan and husband, Mike and Margaret Terzia Clausen of Shreveport and Amye Wren Terzia Wilson and husband, Steve of Plano, TX; the father of her children, Fensky C. Terzia; cousin, William A. "Boo" Coolidge and wife, Foy of Memphis, TN; her grandchildren, Ryan Hannigan and wife, Ashlee and Austin Hannigan of Dallas, Gretchen Wren Clausen of Medford, OR and Craig Clausen and wife, Rachel of Dallas and Olivia Ann Wilson of Plano. She is also survived by Jim's children, Ellen Gardner Caverlee and husband, Sam and James Creswell Gardner, Jr. and wife, Sharon of Shreveport and their children John Caverlee and wife, Amy, James Caverlee and wife, Sherry, Creswell Gardner and wife, Marcie, Dr. Megan Gardner and Michael Gardner and wife, Maura. She was blessed with 15 great-grandchildren. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Jonathan Davis, St. Joseph's Hospice, Dr. Seborn Woods and her wonderful caregivers: Lillie, Janet, Arnetta, Sharon, Dereka, Sandra, Debra, Shantrelle and Elijah. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 275 Southfield Road, in Shreveport, LA, 71105, National Society of Colonial Dames in State of Louisiana, P. O. Box 15875, New Orleans, LA 70175-5875, Spring Street Museum, 525 N. Spring St. 71101, Shreveport Symphony, 616 Jordan St. 71101 or the charity of choice.