In Memory of Rev. Patience Jane Gardner (1946-2024)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Patience Jane Gardner who died on January 3, 2024, at the age of 77.

Patience was born on April 4, 1946, in Montclair, NJ to Letitia and Edward Hoffman. She grew up in New Jersey and attended Caldwell High School. In high school, she was active in drama as well as student government. Patience received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Bridgewater State College, MA in 1983. That same year a revelation took place within her, she felt a strong calling to the ministry. While in divinity school, she spent considerable time choosing a denomination and assessing her position. She believed strongly in the social service activity within Unitarian-Universalism, its worldwide involvement with the issues of peace, its work toward the fulfillment of peace and togetherness, and its commitment to equality and inclusiveness. Following her inner voice toward UU ministry, she graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Master of Divinity in 1987.

Rev. Gardner was ordained on December 11, 1988, by the First Unitarian Church, New Bedford, MA. She served her first ministry as an interim minister at the UU Meeting House of Provincetown, MA (1989-1990). At Provincetown, she did a great deal of pastoral counseling to the gay and lesbian community, people with AIDS, family, and children of alcoholics, recovering drug addicts and alcoholics as well as incest survivors. She began a weekly spirituality group, strengthened lay leadership, and was a catalyst for organizing the RE committee. Rev. Gardner sought to improve the overall organization of the church. Thereafter, she answered a call to the First Parish Church in Billerica, MA (1993-1994). Her ministry there was characterized by change. She began a coffee hour, started a memorial garden for deceased congregants, offered a great deal of adult education, increased social events, developed a solid religious education program, and refined the pledge drive which had not been structured. Subsequently, she served at the First Universalist Church of Assinippi, Norwell, MA (1997), and at the Foxborough Universalist Church, Foxboro, MA from 1999 to 2000. She then left parish ministry but continued her services as a community minister.

Rev. Gardner was a thoughtful and articulate worship leader and preacher. She cared deeply for individuals and the community. There was a strong nurturing component to her personality that caused those around her to feel supported and strengthened by her presence.

Patience engaged in volunteer work at a shelter for the homeless and served as Director of a suicide prevention center. She felt deep compassion and connectedness to the mentally ill and was active in issues regarding mental illness. She advocated for education to lessen the stigma attached to depression and other psychiatric conditions. She also served as a chaplain for the Boston City Hospital (1986-1987) and worked as a Unit therapist at Bridgewater Correctional Facility.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed poetry, music, paintings, and studying world religions. She was a lover of nature, literature and writing, theology, and her family and friends.

Patience is survived by her son Bryant (Kate); granddaughters: Katherine and Margaret; niece Kirsten; and nephew Chris. She was preceded in death by her brother Bryant, mother Leticia, and father Edward. 

A memorial service was held on January 20, 2024, at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 842 Tremont St, Duxbury, MA 02332.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing.

Notes of condolences may be written here.