Elinor D. Gardner

Elinor Evelyn (Darke) Gardiner "Nona” 96, of Peninsula Road, Matunuck Point, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Mrs. Gardner was the daughter of the late Major Joseph Richard and Katherine Evelyn (Cairns) Darke, sister of the late James R. Darke, former circulation manager of the Providence Journal, and lifelong companion of Barbershop singing champion the late Frank Lanza. Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, on April 14, 1912, the night the Titanic sank, Mrs. Gardner had lived at Matunuck Point since 1943. A woman ahead of her time, she was a successful businesswoman and an award-winning artist. Mrs. Gardner is survived by her daughter, Jane G. Cook of Matunuck Point and her granddaughter, Heather A. Cook of Quincy, MA. She is also survived by two nieces, Valerie Finlay and Carol Dean, and their children. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 6-8 pm on Thursday, April 2 and the funeral on Friday, April 3 at 11am at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI.