Carol G Gardner Ertman , September 28, 1932 — November 30, 2018

Carol Gardner Ertman, of Hingham, passed away on Friday November 30, 2018 at the age of 86. Carol met her husband, Willis (who predeceased her in January of this year) at a meeting for their church’s youth group in Cambridge. They had four children: Deborah (Philip) of Hingham, Douglas (Lisa) of Falmouth, ME, Betsy (Tom) of Mercer Island, WA, and Jeffrey (Debra) of Scarborough, ME.

Willis and Carol settled in Hingham with their young children, the beginning of more than 50 years they would spend in Hingham. Carol was born to parents Walter and Lillian (Knight) Gardner in Meriden, CT. She is survived by her sister Ruth.

Her sister, Betty May and her brother, Raymond predeceased her. An education enthusiast, Carol received her BA from Connecticut College in music, along with Master’s degrees in education and special education from Harvard University and Lesley University, respectively. Carol played her flute in the Hingham Civic Orchestra and taught flute privately for many years.

Carol was a special education teacher at Plymouth River elementary school in Hingham. She also volunteered as a teacher in adult literacy and math at Wellspring Multi-Service Center in Hull. She was a champion for her students and believed in the power of education through her life.

Carol was a dedicated member of Hingham Congregational Church, where she shared her musical talents as an alto in the choir. She and Willis spent the last ten years of their lives at Linden Ponds in Hingham, where Carol loved the vibrant community. She played flute in several ensembles and was a member of the garden club.

Cherishing her relationships with family and friends, Carol had a particular knack for remembering people and the details of their lives. She nurtured a close relationship with each of her ten grandchildren and had a special place in the hearts of her many nieces and nephews. Even in her last months, Carol continued to connect with everyone she knew and met with her never ending curiosity, kindness, and warm smile.

A memorial service will be held at Hingham Congregational Church, 378 Main Street, Hingham, on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Linden Ponds Student Scholarship Fund, 300 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, MA 02043 or the Hingham Congregational Church.

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