Leah I. (Gardner) Tooker

Leah Irene (Gardner) Tooker, age 90 and longtime resident of Ayer, passed away on September 14, 2021. She was the beloved wife of 60 years to the late Harold Albert Tooker.

Born in Ayer on June 3, 1931, Leah was the daughter of the late William S. Gardner and Dorcas (Scruton) Gardner. Raised and educated in Ayer, one of six siblings. Leah attended Ayer High School and graduated in 1949. Since she was 16, Leah had worked several unique jobs, beginning with Wentworth Hardware for 6 years, then Harvard Tree Service for 13 years, before working at Murphy Knife for the next 10 years.

In her free time, Leah enjoyed decorating for events, quilting, and wallpapering. Happily married, Leah and Al were both very fond of traveling, having made many friends during their stay at getaway destinations such as Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, and Bar Harbor in Maine, Williamsburg in Pennsylvania, and Key West in Florida. Passionate about her community, Leah was a devoted member of the Federated Church in Ayer, and she and Al actively participated in all the events at the church. Along with her involvement with the church, Leah was a longtime member of the Business and Professional Women's Club. During Leah's residence at Rivercourt Residences in Groton, she enjoyed the company of the people she met there and was an avid Bingo player.

In addition to her parents, Leah is predeceased by her siblings Paul Gardner, Vernon Gardner, Robert Gardner, Allyn Gardner, and Dorothy (Gardner) Hawkins.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a graveside service for Leah on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Bellevue Cemetery located in Harvard.

Arrangements under the care of Badger Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, Groton. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www.badgerfuneral.com