THEXTON; Lola Elizabeth (nee Gardiner) ~ passed away peacefully, content with a life well-lived, on September 3rd, 2018, surrounded by her three loving daughters. Lola was a determined, optimistic & upbeat person, who always saw the good in everyone she met. She loved music, baking, (entering many fairs & exhibitions over the years with her award winning cookies & pies), reading, gardening & being an active member of the United Church. One couldn’t pass through Lola’s kitchen without being offered a freshly baked cookie, square, or other sweet, and always with a cup of tea. You inevitably went home with a sample. Lola’s story started on May 29th, 1926, one of six children to Henrietta Gardiner (Foster) and Charles Gardiner. They were a farm family based on Carmel Line, and along with siblings Doris, Florence, Lois, Jean and big brother Bert, Lola soon learned the value of hard work, a lesson she applied throughout her life. Determined to get an education, she graduated high school at 16, and Teacher’s College a year later. Her tenacity led to an extended teaching career. It started in a one room K-8 school house, and concluded 37 years later in the Town of Millbrook. She fell in love with Clayton Thexton in 1945, despite the fact that on their first date he took her to a wrestling match. They were married in 1950, and over the next few years rounded out their family with three wonderful girls. Clayton and Lola enjoyed more than 50 years together, travelling, celebrating family, and taking pleasure in their many grandchildren; whether helping Grandma bake, garden, read, cook or play games on their family farm. Lola, wife, mother, grandmother/momma & great-grandmother, was a woman with a true zest for life. Her positivity, graciousness, humility and sense of humour impacted all who knew her. Lola leaves behind many loved ones; her sister Lois, daughters Lindsey (Fred), Dawn (Valerie), and Connie (Rod). Grandchildren Mindy, Adam, Will, Kierstan, Natalie, Stephanie, Ali, Amalia & Alex. Lola’s cookies, hugs, and words of wisdom will be missed by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her loss is felt by her large extended family including her many nieces & nephews whom she loved dearly.