Louise Adriance Gardnerformerly of Hanover NH, and recently of Harvest Hill in Lebanon, NH, died Tuesday afternoon May 29, 2012. She was born July 13, 1926, in Englewood, New Jersey, the daughter of Edwin H. and Gertrude Johnston Adriance. Lou came into this world a few minutes ahead of her twin sister, Teddy, with whom she shared not only identical looks, but also adventures, misadventures, friends, and laughs.

Lou attended Northfield - Mt Herman School, in Northfield, MA and then went to Adlephi University on Long Island, NY. She graduated with a degree in nursing, and worked as an RN for a few years. During the summer of 1948 she went to work as a Counselor at Camp Northway Lodge in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada. It was at Northway that she met the love of her life, Pete Gardner, and they were married December 17, 1949.

Lou lived in Hanover, NH for most of her married life. She raised four children, and was involved with their school and social activities, as a volunteer or a supportive parent on the sidelines of games, and in the audience for various drama and music performances. Lou worked for several years at Dartmouth Hitchcock in the pheresis lab, and coordinating blood donor drives for the Red Cross. She also volunteered with the Ladies Auxiliary, and at the Information Desk in the hospital.

Lou was an active member of the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. The church community was an important part of her life, where she made life-long friends, and helped organize church functions. She was always there with a willing hand to help out in any way she could.

Lou's life-long devotion was to her husband, Pete. She was his most ardent supporter, and was an unfailing fan at all Dartmouth rowing events. She became a surrogate den mother to class after class of Dartmouth oarsmen, making meals, hosting graduation parties, and engaging in ribald banter with any and all of them.

Lou had a unique sense of humor, a direct and spirited way of "telling it like it is."

Lou is survived by her daughter, Carol and her husband Jim Huntington; son, Peter; son, Doug and his wife Gayle; and two grandchildren, Sam and Luke Huntington. She is also survived by her sister, Sarah, of Culver City, CA. She was predeceased by a daughter, Emily and a son, Sam. She was also predeceased by her loving husband, Pete.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful and compassionate care that Lou received from the nurses at Harvest Hill and in the Hughes Care Unit, and from Bayada Hospice.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 10:00 am at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, with a reception to follow.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Hughes Care Unit at Harvest Hill, Lebanon, NH, or Bayada Hospice.