Shirley Gardenswartz
Centenarian Shirley Gardenswartz passed away March 28, 2022, at the age of 102. Services was held on March 31 at Congregation Beth Israel and at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, NM, officiated by Rabbi Dov Gartenberg. Arrangements were made by French Funerals.
Mrs. Gardenswartz was born in Cheyenne, Wyo., on July 1, 1919. Her family later moved to Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood. Mrs. Gardenswartz attended East High School, CU Boulder and DU.
In 1940, Mrs. Gardenswartz married Harold Gardenswartz at BMH. They were married for 68 years until Mr. Gardenswartz’s passing in 2008.
After their Denver wedding, the couple moved to Albuquerque, NM, where Mr. Gardenswartz started his business, H. Cook Sporting Goods.
At this time, Mrs. Gardenswartz immediately became a community volunteer. She was the first president of Albuquerque’s Hadassah chapter, and the first chairperson of the women’s division of the Jewish Community Council of Albuquerque. A garden at the JCC is named “Shirley’s Garden.”
“She was a true lady who had integrity, beauty and intelligence,” her family said of the woman nicknamed “The Dutchess.”
Survivors include children Art (Sonya) Gardenswartz, JoAnn (Philip) Carchman and Bobbi (Gary) Siegel.
Contributions may be made to “Shirley’s Garden” at the JCC of Greater Albuquerque.
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