Shrewsbury – Nancy B. (Tivnan) Gardell, Pedersen, 81 a longtime Shrewsbury resident, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012.
Nancy was born in Worcester, a daughter of the late Joseph F. and Beatrice I. (Miller) Tivnan. She grew up in the Vernon Hill section of Worcester and graduated from Worcester public school. She lived and raised her family in Worcester until moving to Shrewsbury 27 years ago.
Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of the past 27 years, Reidar Pedersen; her seven children, Richard Gardell and his wife Debbie of Tuscaloosa Ala, Stephen Gardell and his wife Ellen, Pauline Anderson and her husband David of Wheelwright, Kathleen McManus and her husband Thomas of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Worcester Deputy Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell and his fiancee Debbie of West Boylston, Worcester District Fire Chief Timothy Gardell and his wife Kelly, and John Gardell all of Worcester; three stepchildren, Roy Pedersen, Roger Pedersen and his wife Sandra, and Nancy Pedersen all of Shrewsbury; two brothers, Lincoln and Gene Tivnan both of Worcester; a sister, MaryJane Kelley of West Palm Beach Florida; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. A daughter, Christine Diggins, passed away Feb. 22, 2006. A grandchild, Michael Shea; a brother, Joseph Tivnan; and a sister, Bettyann Daley, also predeceased her.
Nancy worked over 20 years in the payroll/human resources department of St. Vincent Hospital before retiring in 1996.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Sunday, Dec. 30, from 2 to 6 p.m., in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. Her funeral will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 31, from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd., Shrewsbury. Burial will follow next to her daughter Christine in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.
