Armone Jean Gardner
Nurse, Loving Wife, Fiercely Loyal Mother, Devoted Grandma (Nona), and Life of the Party...
Armone Jean Gardner died on December 20, 2018, surrounded by family, after courageously battling an unusual neurological condition she contracted 30 years ago.
Jean was born on February 18, 1945 in Price, Utah to Armand and Katherine (Kay) Cafarelli. Along with her younger sister, Mary Jo, Jean spent her youth in Rose Park, Utah. She attended Bishop Glass Elementary School. Jean then attended Judge Memorial Catholic High School, where she met the love of her life, Gregory James Gardner, in their freshman year. They later married on August 5, 1966. Their 50+ years of marriage was an inspiration to many.
Jean got her nursing certificate at St Joseph's Hospital in Denver so that she could follow in her mother's footsteps and pursue a career as a nurse. She worked as a Registered Nurse at several area hospitals, including LDS, University of Utah, Holy Cross, Shriners, and Jordan Valley.
Jean and Greg had three boys: Gregory Christopher (in 1970), Anthony James (in 1975) and Timothy Michael (in 1976).
One of Jean and Greg's greatest joys was spending time with their boys, making memories. From annual trips to Hebgen Lake in Montana, to Jean's infamous parties, to cheering on her boys while they were playing sports at St. Vincent's de Paul and Judge Memorial High School, to watching her youngest son, Tim, coach basketball at Juan Diego and Judge Memorial high schools, Jean was in her element when she was surrounded by people, enjoying life's everyday moments.
Jean met many of her closest friends by getting to know the parents of her boys' friends, and she cherished her role as a second mother to many of her boys' friends. It never took Jean more than a minute to make a life-long friend. Jean cherished every relationship she had with her family and friends. She would drop everything to spend time with someone, buy the perfect gift for someone, call to check on someone, or throw a party for someone. Her goal was always to focus on others in an effort to make their day better, regardless of what was going on in her own life at the time.
Jean's love of creating meaningful moments shone most bright when her eight grandchildren entered the world. Jean moved heaven and earth to put a sparkle in each of her grandkid's eyes, which she regularly did through acts big and small. Her special gift to everyone, but particularly her grandchildren, was to make sure that they knew how deeply she loved them.
Jean is survived by her husband Greg; her sister, Mary Jo Owens (Alan); her mother Kay Cafarelli; her boys Chris (Marcie), Anthony (Ashley) and Tim (Alli); and her grandchildren Cayten, Katie, Makena, Chloe, Evie, Finley, Anna, and Isabelle. She is preceded in death by her father, Armand, who she is dancing with in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Judge Memorial High School or Juan Diego High School in Jean's name.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 2:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1375 Spring Lane, Salt Lake City. A visitation will begin at 1:00 pm with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 1:40 pm. Jean loved bright, happy colors, a sea of bright colors at her service would be welcomed and appreciated. Immediately following the Mass there will be a celebration of her life in Holy Family Hall.