Esther J. “Midge” Gardner, 90, a lifelong resident of Norwich, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Chenango Memorial Hospital’s Residential Health Care Facility.
Born in Norwich, on April 18, 1927, Esther was the daughter of Fred and Hazel (Warriner) Curnalia. After graduating from Norwich High School, she worked for 33 years as a secretary for Norwich Mills, as well as for Champion, NorTogs, and Kelly Girls. In her 60s, she worked in a similar capacity for attorney Richard Devine and for Victory Markets.
Later in life, she was affectionally known as “Grandma” by those within and outside of her family. Grandma was constantly knitting, even into her late 80’s. She knitted all sorts of items that she offered to her family and friends. Grandma was known especially well for knitting tiny sweaters that adorned small teddy bears that she donated to the annual Relay for Life cancer walk for their use in raising funds. The bears were also offered to patients at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Grandma also very much enjoyed playing bingo. Grandma is survived by daughter Bonnie Brooks and her husband, Ronald, of Norwich; grandchildren Ronald Brooks Jr. and his wife, Nicole, of Norwich, Corey Brooks and his wife, Marie, of Guilford, and Erin Brooks of Philadelphia, PA; great-grandchildren Emma and Drew Brooks, Dylan DeMuth, Jazmine Brooks, and Zan and Blake SanSoucie; sister-in-law Angelina Curnalia; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Fred and John Curnalia. A private family gathering will take place at the Wilson Funeral Home at the convenience of the family. A graveside service will occur in the spring with burial to follow at the Madison Street Cemetery, in Hamilton, NY.
Contributions in Esther’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Chenango County, c/o Heather Brewster, 13 Beech Street, Johnson City, NY 13790 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit: www.wilsonfh.com