Manchester Township High School teacher Tara Gardner will be laid to rest this weekend, after her sudden death Sunday morning.
A viewing for Gardner has been set for Friday between 4 and 8 p.m., and she'll be memorialized at a funeral Mass at St. Joseph's in Toms River Saturday morning at 10:30, with a burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Her family has asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Manchester Township school district.
Her full obituary from Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home:
Tara M. (Sullivan) Gardner, 39, of Toms River, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2013. Born in Pt. Pleasant, she was a lifelong resident of Toms River.
After graduating from Toms River High School North, Tara received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Villanova University and a Master of Arts in English from The College of New Jersey.
She was a dedicated and enthusiastic English teacher at Manchester High School for 16 years and was very involved in many school activities. Over the course of her career, Tara coached girls soccer, field hockey and track.
She was a member of the Toms River Yacht Club and was very active in the Junior Sailing Program.
Tara was very devoted to her family and was extremely involved with all her children's activities. She was endlessly proud of her children's accomplishments.
She will be remembered for her sharp wit, contagious spirit and unique ability to turn any occasion into a memorable great time.
Tara is survived by her beloved parents Richard and Norma Sullivan; her cherished children Casey and Carson Gardner; her loving sister Denise Sullivan Porter and her husband Chip Amdur; her nieces and nephews, Billy, Mia, Jenna, Jordan and Sean; her devoted companion Erik Jensen; and many caring relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Toms River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Manchester Township School District". Please write "Tara Gardner" on the memo line and please mail your donations to Manchester School District, 121 Route 539, PO Box 4100, Whiting, NJ 08759 Attn: David Trethaway.
Condolences may be made by visiting andersonandcampbell.com.
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