Kathleen Ann Gardener
Kathleen Ann Gardener, age 75, of Olivet, passed away on August 4, 2025. She fought with relentless strength until the very end. Surrounded by her family, she passed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of fierce devotion, resilience, and grace. Born in Lansing, Michigan on January 9, 1950, to Elmer and Patricia (Masseau) Neff, Kathleen lived a life marked by compassion, creativity, and a fire that never dimmed.
She had a smile that could light up a room; radiant, comforting, and unforgettable. It was the kind of smile that made you feel seen, safe, and loved. Whether she was tending her garden, comforting someone in grief, or simply sharing a quiet moment, Kathleen brought warmth and beauty into every space she entered.
Kathleen’s love for gardening was more than a hobby, it was a reflection of her nurturing spirit. So profound was her connection to nature that she embraced the name “Gardener,” a tribute to the beauty she cultivated in her life and in the lives of others. Her gardens bloomed with purpose, and she often used her talents to support charitable causes, including the Children’s Miracle Network and other organizations close to her heart.
A gifted cosmetologist and educator, Kathleen taught at Wright Beauty Academy in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek until 1996, inspiring countless students with her skill and warmth. She had a knack for making others feel beautiful; inside and out and her generosity extended far beyond the classroom. After enduring the unimaginable loss of three daughters, Kathleen became a beacon of comfort for others navigating grief, always putting their needs before her own.
One of the most profound ways Kathleen expressed her love and empathy was through the grave blankets she hand-crafted each winter for over 30 years. What began as a way to keep her daughters “warm” in spirit became a mission of comfort for grieving families across the country. Each blanket was made with care, delivered personally, even to Arlington National Cemetery and served as a quiet, powerful gesture of remembrance and love.
Kathleen was the emotional center of her family; the one they turned to for guidance, comfort, and connection. Her daily phone calls, thoughtful gestures, and creative spirit brought light and love into the lives of her children and grandchildren. She did not need big gatherings to make an impact, she was the heartbeat of her family, always present, always giving.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 30 years, Charles Sharp; her children, Jennifer (Jason) Peterson, Michelle Davis, Andrea Davis, and Aaron Davis; ten beloved grandchildren; Kylie, Wesley, Michaela, Trenton, Elle, Akera, Gavin, Noah, Lukas, and Ashley; and her siblings, Delbert “Jim” Neff, Patti Soblesky, and Robert Neff. She was preceded in death by her daughters, Rachel, Cassandra, and Gabrielle; as well as her parents Elmer and Patricia Neff.
Kathleen’s family invites friends to honor her memory by attending services or sharing stories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were on Friday, August 8, 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, officiated by Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop, with interment following at Bosworth Cemetery. The service will be webcast for those unable to attend in person. You may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Kathleen’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Miracle Network, a cause Kathleen deeply believed in. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.