Rose Marie Gardner

May 24, 1925 - July 31, 2019

Rose Marie (DeFranco) Gardner, 94, of Hudson, NH, died Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Fairview Health Care in Hudson, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born May 24, 1925, in Salem, MA, daughter of the late Francesco and Angelina (Amenta) DeFranco. She was also predeceased by three brothers and one sister; Carmello DeFranco, Paul DiFranco, Salvatore DeFranco, Ann Farinelli, as well as by a brother-in-law, Cornelius Gardner.  Rose was the wife of Lt. Col. (Ret.) James A. Gardner of Hudson with whom she shared 72 years of marriage.  Rose was instrumental in raising her younger brothers and sisters and later carried on that love and devotion to raising her own family. She and her husband, James, traveled with their trailer all over the Unites States, and were able to visit many family members and military friends around the country. Rose was very active with the Hudson Seniors, and was a Eucharistic Minister for many years, most recently with St. John XXIII Parish. Her greatest joy came when spending time with her family and friends.  Along with her devoted husband, James, her loving family includes one son and three daughters; Dr. James A. Gardner, II, and his wife Dr. Jennifer L. Gardner of Sudbury, MA, Angela M. Murphy and her husband William J. Murphy, IV, of Parker, CO, Dr. Mary E. Gardner of Springfield, MA, and Rose Larson and her husband William E. Larson of Attleboro, MA, eight grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. She is also survived by two brothers, Joseph DiFranco and his wife Marie of Peabody, MA, Charles DiFranco and his wife Anne of Bedford, NH, one sister, Dorothy Firl of Oshkosh, WI, a brother-in-law, Frederick C. Gardner of Peabody, MA, two sisters-in-law, Mary Mazzie of Naples, FL, and Mary “Mickey” DeFranco of Salem, MA, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staffs of Right At Home of Southern NH and Fairview Health Care for all their time and dedication in caring for Rose.  Visiting hours will be held on Monday, August 5th from 4pm-7pm in the DUMONT-SULLIVAN FUNERAL HOME, 50 FERRY ST., HUDSON, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 6th at 10am in St. John XXIII Parish at St. John the Evangelist Church, 27 Library St. in Hudson, NH. All may please meet at the church. Burial will be at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 DW Hwy in Boscawen, NH, at 2:30 pm that same day. All may please meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made in Rose’s loving memory to St. Vincent de Paul - St. John the Evangelist Food Pantry, 23 Library St., Hudson, NH 03051 or the Presentation of Mary Academy, Attention: Sr. Maria Rosa, 182 Lowell Rd., Hudson, NH 03051.