Nan (Sharkey) Gartner

On Monday March 11th, 2023, Nan Gartner, of Fayetteville, beloved Mother, Aunt, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully and comfortably at the Nottingham in Jamesville, NY. She was 95 years old. She is survived by four daughters, Christen Groeling (Renner) of Bloomfield, NY, Susan Kraft (Renner) of Plano, TX, Janet Weinstein (Gartner) of Pittsford, NY, and Ellen Gartner of Glenside, PA, and grandchildren Alexander, Lena, Clifford, Michael, Kurt Michaela and Benjamin, and great granddaughter Anya, sister-in-law Polly Sharkey, and nieces Karen and Lynn. She was predeceased by her husband of 33 years (Howard Gartner), brother Byron “Jack” Sharkey, and her loving companion Bill Meyer.

Nan grew up in Long Island and attended secretarial school at Katharine Gibbs in New York City before working in Manhattan. She moved upstate to Cazenovia and was married, and raised her family, first in Marcellus and then in Dewitt, before downsizing to Kimry Moor in Fayetteville. 

Nan loved culture, art, cooking and had a penchant for literature, especially poetry. She was a stained-glass artist, a published poet, and loved her writers groups and book clubs. She loved the Everson Museum, Syracuse Stage, and May Memorial. An avid traveler, she visited Europe, Mexico, and Banf, Canada, and more importantly the Grand Central Oyster Bar. Her favorite destination was Cape Cod, staying at Spouter Whale and enjoying the beach with family. 

Nan loved her grandchildren, and indulged them in games of scrabble, badminton, and eventually even billiards. She loved Christmas and decorated with a passion. Summers in the garden and cookouts were a common occurrence. She was known for her elegant and graceful presence, and for being a supportive friend.

Memorial services will be held at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society in Syracuse, NY, at a date to be determined. A private ceremony in the Memorial Garden at May Memorial will be held afterwards. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations in Nan’s name to May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society.

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