RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Irene Lucy Gardner, age 64 of Little Lakes Road passed away on Thursday morning June 17, 2010 in Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. She had the comfort of her loving family at her side. She was born on May 21, 1946 in Cobleskill, daughter of the late George and Julia Porter LaPlant. Irene was raised and educated in Sharon Springs. On December 11, 1964 she was united in marriage with Robert L. Gardner in the Richfield Springs Presbyterian Church. In 1965 she and her husband moved from Schenectadyto Richfield Springs where they purchased their dairy farm. Mrs. Gardner was an honorary member of the Warren Grange. She also spent a great deal of her time as a caregiver in many of the homes throughout the area. To her family, she will always be remembered for her exceptional cooking and baking. Cherished are those memories of the warm aromas that permeated their home and the fact that no one ever left the table hungry. She was a caring, loving and hopeful person and will be greatly missed by her many friends and family especially her cherished grandchildren and great grandson. Surviving are her devoted husband of forty-seven years Robert, one son, Douglas and his wife Carrie of Dover, DE, a daughter, Deborah Higby of Warren, three brothers and their wives, Glen and Carol Jackson of Rome, WI, Duncan and Marian LaPlant of Fredonia, WI, David and Kay LaPlant of Madia, CA, one sister, Julia Green of Hagaman, four grandchildren, Sean Gardner, Holly Gardner, Deanna Higby and Zack Higby, a great grandson, Trevor Ogdon, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her infant brother Donald LaPlant and a sister Edna Bailey and a grandson, Matthew Higby in 2002. Funeral service and committal will be on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in Springfield Center Cemetery. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street; Richfield Springs on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Richfield Springs Veterans Club or the Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.