Unity in the Pines V.I.P. <??>   

By Kristine Baker  

Ginny and Bernie Gardner are this month’s Very Inspirational People. They have been members of Unity since 1974, serving in many roles including Board member, on-call volunteer, Nominating Committee and, for Ginny, Women of Unity.  

Ginny’s from Tennessee and Bernie was born in New Jersey. They met during the war. In answer to Bernie’s marriage proposal, Ginny said “I guess so”. Both families were opposed to the match and predicted failure. That was almost 66 years ago! 

Bernie served in the Army Air Corp, spending two years in England with Mobile Repair and Reclamation. Next, he attended Penn State School of Agriculture, but decided he wasn’t cut out for farming. After several moves, a couple of career changes and two children, the couple landed in Texas where Bernie joined the Electricians Union. They eventually moved to New Jersey where they stayed until their children finished school.  

Ginny has worked for the University of Florida, Mont Blanc in New Jersey and Highland Elementary School. She also volunteered in a nursing home. Her interests included tennis, yoga and gardening.  

The couple married in the Lutheran Church and kept their membership until they landed in Lake Worth. One day Ginny asked a friend what she knew about the little church that was only three blocks from her house. The friend told Ginny that she didn’t want to go there because it was “strange”! The next Sunday, when Bernie went fishing, Ginny attended Unity of Lake Worth. She felt it was the right place for her and asked Bernie to attend the next service. That was in 1974 and they have been “Unitics” ever since.