Winifred (“Sis”) M. (Clements) Gardner, 88, of Cambridge, MA, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026. In her final days she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who gathered to show their love and gratitude for a life well lived.

Sis was born on January 8, 1938, at her parents' home on Dearborn Road in Burlington, MA, the daughter of the late Edward and Catherine Clements. Raising children was her life's calling. She devoted herself to her five children and later helped raise her grandchildren. After her divorce, she turned what she knew best into her work, caring for countless other families' children as a nanny and early childhood caregiver. Many of those children remained part of her life long after they were grown.

She was a woman of deep Catholic faith, and her spirituality guided everything she did. She was also a wonderful cook and baker. For nearly twenty years at her senior residence in Cambridge, she turned out a steady stream of baked goods for her neighbors and friends. Her pineapple upside-down cake and her famous coffee cake were loved by everyone lucky enough to get a slice.

She is survived by her five children: Thomas F. Gardner, Jr. of Concord, NH; Michael Gardner and his wife Amanda, of Barnstead, NH; Karen Smith and her husband George of Northwood, NH; Patricia Durkin and her husband Rick of Rochester, NH; and Mark Gardner and his wife Shireen of Cambridge, MA. She also leaves 12 grandchildren: Katelin, Tyler, Tyra, Alexis, Eric, Shiann, Tenya, Max, Seamus, Seth, Michael, and Brady, and 4 great-grandchildren; her brother Thomas Clements of Woburn, MA, and many nieces and nephews from the Clements and Gardner families.

She was predeceased by her sister, Catherine, and her brothers George, Edward, Walter, Ronald, and Billy. She also mourned the loss of her dear friends Carol Kerrigan and Ethel Ferguson, whose friendship she treasured throughout her life.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and by everyone who ever sat at her table.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Shawsheen Funeral Home. Burial will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge, MA. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend.