Maria "Lou" Briscoe Gardiner, 85, of Hollywood, MD and formerly of Rockville, MD died March 7, 2011 at her residence. Born on October 27, 1925 in Leonardtown, MD, she was the daughter of the late John H. T. and Hilda Jane Maddox Briscoe.

Mrs. Gardiner was the loving wife of John F. Gardiner, Jr. whom she married in St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown, MD.

She was also survived by her children; John F. Gardiner, III of Severna Park, MD, Walter H. Gardiner of Vienna, VA, Marian Gardiner Fegeley, Maria Gardiner Steppe both of Hollywood, MD and Ron Gardiner of La Plata, MD, her 10 grandchildren and siblings; John Hanson Briscoe of Hollywood, MD and Meme Briscoe Gillaspy of Spencer, IN. She attended St. Mary's Academy and Strayer Business College.

Mrs. Gardiner was born and raised in St. Mary's county but moved to Rockville, MD in the 1950's and returned to St. Mary's County in January of 1979. She was a homemaker and enjoyed donating her time to the Sotterley Foundation and Meals on Wheels.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM in St. John's Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris Gardiner, Vince Gardiner, Hugh Gardiner, John Gardiner, IV, Jason Steppe and Michael Fegeley.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Gardiner can be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, St. John's Catholic Church, 43950 St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD, 20636 and/or the Sotterley Foundation, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.