Rachael Ann Gardiner

A memorial Mass for Mrs. Rachael Ann Gardiner will be held at 10 am on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches.  The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.  Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 6 PM in the funeral home chapel on the 16th.  Rachael Ann Gardiner, 78 years of age and a resident of Natchitoches passed away on October 12, 2019.  She was born on November 10, 1940, to Henry Ellis “Dick”  Maines and Mary Ann Andries Maines in Minden, LA.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, George E. Gardiner, Jr., and her brothers, Richard E. Maines, William Thomas “Tommy” Maines and his wife Sarah. She is survived by her son, George E. “Ted” Gardiner, III. and wife Julie and their children, Mackenzie and Madison; and a daughter, Mary Ann Gardiner and her son Elliott. Rachael was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School and later earned her Bachelor of Science degree from NSU in nursing.  She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader for seven years.  She attended the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception where she actively participated in the choir.  Later in life, she began attending St. Anthony Catholic Church in Natchitoches; she was always deeply rooted in her catholic faith.  In 1983 she served as chairman for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival; she also co-chaired for the 275th anniversary of the St. Denis Ball.  She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society Chapter. In lieu of floral arrangements, donations in Rachael’s name may be made to Disabled American Veterans by visiting https://www.dav.org/ways-to-give/ or to Suicide Prevention Services of America by visiting https://www.spsamerica.org/donate.