After a long and courageous battle against cancer, Island artist Ida (Buzzy) Gardner died at the Boston Medical Center in the early morning hours of July 15, with children Pam Gardner (Fleisher), Gail Gardner Craig and Bob Gardner at her side. She was eight days shy of her 67th birthday. Husband Bob and daughters Pam and Gail cared for her devotedly over the final 18 months of her illness. Many other family members and friends accompanied her to treatments in Boston and the Cape, and she was grateful to have such a network of caring friends.

Born in Oak Bluffs in 1937, she was the daughter of Louis and Carmen Goodwin. She attended schools in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown and had lifelong friendships with many classmates. Buzzy took great pride in being a Vineyard native and, except for a 10-year period in Boston in her early married years with Bob, she made the Island her home.

Buzzy was always up to a challenge and willing to learn new things. As a result, she had many different occupations throughout her life, including time as a telephone operator and dental assistant. For a number of years, she was the librarian at the Tisbury Elementary School. During that time, she decided to obtain her teaching degree and was proud of her graduation from Lesley College in 1993. She retired from the school system in 1999 to pursue other dreams.

Of all her vocations, Buzzy was most proud of her career as an artist. She often spoke of her lifelong love of art and she would spend hours each day learning from other artists and perfecting her craft, producing a large array of impressionist landscapes. In 2003, she took tremendous pride in publishing The Santa Claus Lady, a Vineyard Christmas story that she wrote and illustrated.

Buzzy was a kind, generous and caring person who loved the Vineyard and shared its treasures with countless people throughout her life. She loved the Island and its people, natives and tourists alike. Buzzy had a loving heart and would help anyone in need. One of her self imposed summer obligations as an animal lover was to rescue tired dogs who could no longer keep up with their rollerblading or cycling owners on the beach road bike path. She would provide water and a ride to the animal's final destination, waiting patiently for the owner to arrive.

Even with all her accomplishments, the most important thing in Buzzy's life was her family. She often shared that her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy and she showered them with love and support through the years. She was an exceptional mother and grandmother and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by Bob, her husband of 44 years; her son, Bob, of Medina, Ohio; daughter and son in law, Pam Gardner and Phil Fleisher, of Boston; and daughter and son in law, Gail and Jamie Craig, of Edgartown. In addition, she leaves her beloved grandchildren, Abby and Gwen Gardner, Evie Fleisher and Riley and Amelia Craig. Her brother, Louis (Jimmy) Goodwin of Oak Bluffs, sister and brother in law, Beverly and Paul Corwin of Florida, and many nieces, nephews and their families survive her as well. She was predeceased by her adored younger brother, Frank Goodwin, in 1983.

The Island has lost a great ambassador in Buzzy. She loved life, had a quick wit, a great sense of humor and she was always looking to improve as an artist and as a human being.

A formal funeral service will not be held. At Buzzy's request, there will be a celebration of her life at an Island art gallery in the fall, featuring paintings that held special significance for her through the years. Details of this event will be announced at a later time. Donations in her memory can be made to The Red Stocking Fund, Box 74, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. All donations made expressly in her name will be used solely for the purpose of purchasing toys for children in need, as was her request. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason funeral home in Oak Bluffs.