" EDNA JACKSON "
1883 to 1955
Edna Jackson Gardiner was born in Salt Lake City,Utah on July 15, 1883. She was the daughter of Samuel Beswick Jackson and Esther Alice Andrew, of early pioneer stock. Her father came into the Valley of the Great Salt Lake as a child; and her mother was the daughter of Frederick Chadwick Andrew, an emigrant from Lancashire, England, who arrived in Salt Lake City October 28, 1854 .
Edna resided in Salt Lake City her entire life, and up to the time of her marriage to Clarence LeRoy Gardiner on June 20th, l907, the family home was at 643 East Third South, in the llth Ward, in which ward the family was active in all religious and social activities. She attended the Webster School from which she graduated with honors . Many of her lasting friendships were formed with her many girl companions in those pleasant days at this school and they continued during her entire life. Possibly her closest and dearest friend was Ellen Brighton, who was the daughter of Robert A. Brighton, who was the son of William Stewart Brighton, who was engaged in mining and prospecting in the Big Cottonwood canyon area in the early days of Utah; and they had a summer home in the upper end of the canyon, which is still known by the family name of Brighton. Many summer weeks were spent by Edna and Ellen at this place, for she and Ellen were almost inseparable. As a girl, Edna was quite thin, and, no doubt, these vacations in the mountains contributed to her general health and vigor of mind and body which had to sustain her during her later years . As she matured into womanhood, she was very active in all the Ward activities, teaching in the Sunday School, etc.
Quite a number of the younger set, including Edna, who were attending the L D S Business College, projected a social set which held many dances in an old barn that was near the College, which formerly had been one of the buildings that was attached to the old Tithing Office of the
Church; and it had been remodeled into a dance hall for these children.
It was at one of these Church functions that she met her future husband to be, Clarence L1. Gardiner, who had, up till this time, been living in the 14th Ward. But in Dec. of that year of 1902, his family moved up to 1243 Alemeda Ave. in the llth Ward. Then, about in the month of Feb. 1903, he received his mission call to go to Scotland; and he departed for his mission on Apr. 22, of that year. However, these two lovers continued to write to each other and their romance ripened with each letter, until he returned about June 22, 1905, having been gone for 26 months, during which time Edna was true to him, although a very large number of her friends that were unmarried indulged in a variety of very pleasant social event.
The marriage of Edna and Clarence was performed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 20 , 1907, by President John R. Winder, a member of the First Presidency of the Church. Later that evening a reception was held at the family home of east 3rd South St.; and immediately after the reception they left to go to their new home at 2289 So . Sth1 East St . in Forest Dale, a community and Church Ward in south Salt Lake, near to the farm of Brigham Young.. .
The succeeding 10 years were spent in home, where Dorothy, Melvin Margaret and Stewart,(Wíllíam Stewart) ot two children, Alan U. and Esther Alice were born at the only other residence of the family, at 928 Hollywood Ave. in Sugar House, a suburb of Salt Lake City that was then in the Richards Ward, later in the Lincoln Ward of Granite Stake. Life in the community of Forest Dale was most pleasant for Edna and Clarence; for a new Chapel and recreation hall had been built and many religious as well as social events were being enjoyed at that time.
continued
In this Forest Dale Ward a great spirit of fellowship prevailed among the younger set, as well as with the older ones as well; and it was a ward where everyone knew his neighbor for quite a ways around. At that time, T. Albert Hooper and his new wife Lily, moved right next door to the north of Edna and Clarence's home on 8th East St.. They had been married just 8 days before and both Edna and Lily were called to teach in the Religion Class of the Forest Dale Ward at that time; and they both enjoyed teaching the small boys and girls in the rudiments of Church activities.
However, as the family increased, it was soon necessary to find a" larger house; and so, in November of 1917, they moved over to 928 Hollye wood Ave. into Richards Ward. Edna's family ties with her parents and , her brothers and sisters were very close, so this new, larger home was ideal for her many parties with her two sisters and her two brothers. For every week, they would get together, either at her home or at the home of her sisters Ella and May, or at her sister-inlaws, Iretta Jackson over on Windsor Ave, in the Forest Dale Ward. Her mother, Esther Alice Jackson, was a quiet sort of a person, very industrious and a very lovable character; and she was always very glad to see Edna and her small children every chance that she could, so very often Edna would take them up to see "grandma" and "grandpa" up at the old homestead. They always loved this for there were always cookies and candy; and as their grandma always gave her children to understand.
The children all attended either the old Columbus School or the Forest School in their grade school days, and they all attended the Irving Jr. High up on 12th East in Sugar House. Other educational advantages were enjoyed by all of the children, for she was always teaching them at home to supliment their school teaching. At the time that Clarence was made Bishop of Richards Ward on Aug.Z,1925, Edna's home duties increased, and these were made more difficult by the caring for Clarence's father, who had suffered a stroke sometime before and he had had to move in with them in their home at 928 Hollywood Ave. as he could not take care of himself.
Then, shortly after the organization of the Lincoln Ward» in January of 1929 , Edna was called to the Stake Board of the Granite Stake by Pres . Hugh B. Brown, after she had been a class leader for some time in the Richards Ward. She was always very studíous and very serious in her approach to the duties that were assigned to her, and she performed an outstanding record in the Relief Society; as she was in charge of preparing and having printed the monthly leasons.. The Stake Relief Society Board was, at that time, presided over by Emmaretta G. Brown, and after the release of this group of dedicated women, a social set was formed among them known as the "Emmarettas", which h'as met every two weeks, if at all possible up to this present time of 1953. In this calling, Edna made many precious associations with the women of the Ward and Stake; as well as with the group that compri zed the General Board of the Relief Society of the whole Church!
One of her outlines for the Relief Society Lessons is now inserted:
Ordered Living 11
This is your day:
To hope, to dream, to build! Stride forth with lances bare, Your heart with courage filled!
This is your hour; The hour that you can change From just so many minutes , Into a work of fame !
"To live abundantly, is to meet the future unafraid. Having ideals» and standards is one of the secrets of really great living. What we become, is largely dependent upon our ideals. Planning work and then working the plan. Purposeful living is a major achievement. In any vocation, as well as managing a home, skill is required. Every woman needs outside information and inspiration as an assistant in her work. A sel:f:`«-imposed program of reading for study, recreation and current information will make of one an_authority. Even 15 minutes a day of concentration will produce a wide horizon of interests and aptitudes.
A day well filled with interest and service ís a panacea for illness and needless worry. Benjamín Franklin suggested beginning each day with the question: "What good shall I do this day?"; and in the evening he had this question: "What good have I done this day?" Application to opportunity for study in any program, either for the Church or civil enterprise will make of woman's last years her "Best Years!" For then she can meet life's problems with poise and setenity!"
In appreciation of her contribution to the Theological lessons, she was presentedgon June 17th 1943, by the Granite Stake Relief Society, with a copy of "Our Legacy", the Centennial Anthology of Verse. The book had one of her poems contained in it; and it is as follows:
" MOTHER FRIEND "
BY EDNA J. GARDINER Relief Society Magazine, 1936
God gave me a friend that I might see,something of His divinity; A friend where grief and joy are one, To have, to share till life is done! God gave me a friend so sweet and mild, Who could open her- arms to a little child; A friend to heed the age old Let little children come to me! God gave me a friend whose charm and grace, Lent halb to the commonplace; A friend whose kindly thought and deed, Was manna in my time of need! God gave me a friend in life’s dark hour, A staff with allsustaíníng power; A friend for The following tribute accompanied 'the book:
SISTER EDNA J. GARDINER: For many years now, you have been a part of the Relief Society Stake Boards, having served in various capacities. Your last assignment on the Stake Board, that of Teacher's Topic C_1ass Leader, has given you an opportunity to write for the benefit of the mothers of Israel. The monthly teacher's topic Leaflet which has gone into the hundreds of homes in our Stake, has set forth in beautiful, yet simple understanding language, the message of the visiting teacher. Granite Stake is privileged to have within its borders, a person capable of writing beautiful lines of poetry. So we say unto you, Sister Gardiner, continue to use this God-given talent, that Granite Stake may be represented by you as a contributor to our Relief Society magazine! Though your health has been impaired, yet your spirit to do, has helped you to carry on; and your membership in Relief Society, I am sure is your second pride. May this gift prove to be a prize addition to your large collection of fine literature!"
Then, in the Paebar Anthology of Verse, 1935, the following poem by Edna Jackson Gardiner, was included:
" CHRISTMAS JOY "
I like to think of Christmas Time, That peace is in the hearts of men,
That bells ring out in revrent chime And meekness is a diadem!
I like to feel a great goodwill
Uniting all in friendship's band; Where, friends greet friends through good or ill;
To feel Christ's spirit in the land!
I like to see, at Christmas Time, The still stars shining up above; And read the message that they bring, Of hope, and peace, and wondrous love!
Many other contributions, both in verse and prose, were written, some achieving favorable comments and publication in different magazines, and some of which were awarded valuable prizes, which she cherished all of her life. All of them were allowed observation, and some of them showing a high degree of proficiency in grammatical construction with a lofty and elevating message.
Edna always had a longing to make and keep new friends, she carried on for many years a Subscription Agency in her home with some of the leading magazine publishers , achieving considerable success in this venture, the income from which helped to supplement the family income. One of these Agencies was the Cromwell Company of New York, which had a department known as the "Pin Money C1ub"; and it was conducted by a Margaret Clarke; and it was Edna's pleasure to be able to make a trip back east with aunt May and uncle Henry to Washington D.C. and other places of interest; and at which time she called in the office of Miss Clarke in New York, and this personal contact was a source of pleasure and satisfaction to Edna, after having for so many years previously conduct much of her magazine subscription under her supervision!
While Dorothy was living in California, during the 19305, many an annual trip was made there with one of Edna's friends, Mrs. Manchester, who was a devoted friend, who drove her own car; and these different trips to Los Angeles and the surrounding countryside were always a source of pride and happy recollections, of which the other members of the family often joinéd her there. Later she made trips to San Francisco, Oakland, Berkley, Richmond, etc., returning by way of Donner Lake and Reno, etc.
About the year of 1940, she passed through a very severe attack of the "grippe", which seemed to have partially destroyed the "pancreas", which, in turn, resulted in the affliction of "diabetes", from which she never completely recovered; and which, no doubt, was a contributing factor of her final fatal sickness in 1955. However, with careful attention to her diet and medical care, she was able to carry on her normal activities for many more years.
However, on the 28th of April, l954, during the night, she was prostrated by a very large blood clot, which immediately required hospitalization. The clot was dissolved, but the attack affected somewhat her memory, and while she seemed to be quite normal in her conversation, a short time later the memory of the event was lost to her completely. Then, confined mostly to her home during the ensuing months, she quietly passed away in her sleep, at her home, in the early hours of November 17th, l955. She suffered no pain; and truly) she died not tasting death at the age of 72, 4 months, 2 days.
Son Melvin Clarence Gardiner
Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake County
Utah, USA
Plot: Belmont Park 123_?
