Betty Lou Gardella

Betty Lou Gardella, 88, of Laurel, Maryland passed away on Sunday March 15, 2015 in Holy Cross Hospital.

Betty was born March 18, 1926 in Pennsylvania to Max and Kathryn Pheasant. She grew up in Washington D.C and later moved to Maryland with her husband Joseph Gardella and children. She stayed home to raise her children until they were out of school then began working outside of the home. She retired from the United Postal Workers Union in 1991. Betty enjoyed traveling with her friends and family, dancing and especially loved spending time with her large family.

Survivors include her children; Patricia Kopicki, Janet Novak, Joseph and Angie Gardella , her six grandchildren; Scott and Rose Garner of Ft. Myers, FL, Kimberly and Michael Smith of Greensboro, MD, Michael Garner of Laurel, MD, Toni Novak of Crownsville, MD, Christina Gardella of Crofton, MD, Joseph Gardella of Baltimore, MD; twelve great grandchildren, Kacie, Patrick, Brandon, Faith, Rose, Blake, Lexi, Nick, Jacob, Victoria, Richie and Ashley; five great great grandchildren, Gabe, Nate, Lily, Owen and Jace. Also surviving are two brothers, Max and Thomas Pheasant and several loving nieces and nephews. She is remembered with love by Hazel Eguia of Adelphi, MD, Rick Cassell of Fairfax, VA and Tammy Lamb of Glen Burnie, MD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; a sister, Janet Hurley.

Visitation will be held on Friday March 20, 2015 from 10:00 until 12:00 in the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. chapel. A memorial service will be at 12:00 at in the chapel. Burial will be at 2:00 in the Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville, MD. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hearts and Homes for Youth, ( A local Non-Profit organization with100% of the proceeds going to the children) http://heartsandhomes.org/ 3919 National Drive Suite 400, Burtonsville, MD 20866, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. http://www.stjude.org/  Please make the check payable to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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