5 Mar 1942 – 13 Nov 1995
Stepsister of Lyle Kent Hilton and Gail Hilton Wood
Donna Jeanne Hilton Gardner died Monday, November 13, 1995 in Salt Lake City, Utah of respiratory failure following major cancer surgery. She was 53.
Donna was born March 5, 1942, in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Lyle Hilton and Sally Electa Palmer. She graduated from Albuquerque’s Highland High School in 1960, an honor student, pianist, high school band and orchestra member and valedictorian. She attended Brigham Young University and was affiliated with the Tokalons, White Key Scholastic Honor Society, BYU Ballroom Dance Team and was selected National Duchess of Intercollegiate Knights and runner-up to “Bell of the Y.” She also served in a campus Stake Relief Society presidency. Donna graduate with high honors in 1964, earning a BA in English and a minor in music.She married Robert Quinn Gardner, son of Ralph “Rollie” M. Gardner and Grace Robinson of Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 1, 1964. Donna taught English of Pleasant Grove and Orem High Schools from 1964-1966, then left the formal teaching profession to raise a family of seven daughters and one son.
A faithful member of the LDS Church and devoted student of the scriptures, Sister Gardner served as Primary president, Relief Society president and teacher, visiting teacher, ward choir director and organist, Gospel Doctrine teacher and in numerous other callings in various wards around the country including Albuquerque, N.M., Provo, Utah, Cincinnati, Ohio, Dallas, Texas, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Salt Lake City, Kennewick, Washington, and Bountiful, Utah.
From 1976 to 1995 Donna made her home in Bountiful, Utah, where she was an active member of the community. She served as PTA president, where she conceived and subsequently developed Art Start and Music Start, special programs now used in various Davis County schools to supplement the elementary arts curriculum.
A gifted writer, Donna was a 1993 Ensign Poetry contest winner; her poem entitled, “Stones,” was published in the September, 1993 Ensign. She was also a gifted pianist, disciplined student and teacher, lover and avid pursuer of the cultural arts, music, and literature, a talented seamstress, dedicated homemaker, and cherished mother.
A righteous woman who devoted her whole energies to raising her cherished family, Donna created a gospel-centered home where her children learned lasting values. She ably supported her husband in his many church assignments and business responsibilities. A true Latter-day Saint who selflessly served others. Donna centered her whole life on striving to serve the Lord and her fellowmen. Through her devotion and daily comport, she leaves a legacy of love and faith in all she taught and influenced.
She is survived by her husband of 31 years, President R. Quinn Gardner; her children, Michelle (Mrs. Milan Detweiler); Gail (Mrs. Kevin Sears); Elizabeth (Mrs. Joshua Randall); Deborah; Jeffrey; Jennifer; Amy; and Christine; and grandchildren, Bradford and Joseph Sears, and Christine Detweiler; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Hilton, now of Mesa, Ariz.; brothers, Dale Hilton of Albuquerque, N.M.; Steven Hilton of Springfield, Virg.; Kent Hilton of Las Vegas, Nev.; and sister, Gail Wood of Walnut Creek, Calif.
At the time of her death, Sister Gardner was serving with her husband as he presided over the Argentina Bahia Blanca Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is beloved by her family and all who knew her.
Services: a viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Thursday, November 16, 1995 from 5 to 9 p.m. A viewing for out of town friends and relatives will be held Friday, November 17, 1995 from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at the Bountiful Utah Central Stake Center.
Funeral services will be Friday, November 17, 1995, at 12 noon, at the Bountiful Utah Central Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful. Graveside services will be held at Memorial Estates, 1640 E. Lakeview Drive, Bountiful.
Memorial gifts may be made in Donna’s name to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints International Missionary Fund, through local wards and stakes.
Lakeview Memorial Park, Bountiful, Davis County, Utah
