June 24 2019
Virginia Steeves Gardier, 89, of Upper Arlington, passed away in peace on Monday, June 24th, 2019 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. Virginia was a dedicated mother and esteemed figure in the Columbus educational community. She came of age in an era when the status quo encouraged women to be housewives and stay-at-home mothers, but she refused to allow that to be the limit of her legacy. Virginia earned her bachelor’s degree from State University New York- College at Oneonta and her master’s degree from Butler University in Indianapolis. Education was her overarching purpose and passion. She dedicated her career to elementary education in the Upper Arlington school system where she was a leader among peers and an advocate for her students. In 1985 she was recognized with the prestigious Golden Apple Award, and on July 6, 2019 she will be honored on the 100th anniversary of the UA School District by being inducted into the UA Educators Hall of Fame. This is a tremendous honor that reflects the lasting impact she made on the children and families of Upper Arlington. While these formal honors are gratifying and well deserved, she is best known for her welcoming and engaging spirit which she took special care to extend to all her students. She was never too busy to address questions–whether in regard to grammar or growing pains–in her own classroom, as a volunteer in other teachers’ classrooms, and with her granddaughters for whom she was a loyal guardian and pervasive influence. Up until her passing, former students from Greensview and Burbank Elementary School would approach her on the street, at the grocery store, at restaurants, just about anywhere in town to say thank you for making learning an exciting and fulfilling journey. Through her animation of literature and non-fiction alike, she imparted that we can all expand our horizons and explore new worlds through the magic of reading. Virginia enjoyed family gatherings around the dinner table (more so if there were no dishes afterwards), colonial American history, symphony concerts, trips to the Greenbriar with her husband, lunch dates with her granddaughters, libraries, and the piano. She is survived by her loving daughter, Cynthia Gardier Lewis; granddaughters, Bryn Lewis and Paige Lewis (Geovanny Alfaro); devoted son, Christopher Gardier (Mary); granddaughters, Lauren Gardier and Amanda Gardier (Charlie Ballantine); and her dear Siamese cat, Willi. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than sixty years, Dr. Robert W. Gardier, as well as son Robert Gardier Jr.. In lieu of flowers, memorial gift contributions in Virginia’s memory are greatly appreciated and can be made online at columbusliteracycouncil.org. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Virginia Steeves Gardier please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Virginia Steeves Gardier June 24 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Columbus, state: Ohio