GARDNER Barbara (nee Pfeiffer), 81, a brilliant artist and resident of Saddle River, N.J., passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at her home. Born in Union City, Barbara was a resident of Saddle River for the past 54 years.

Barbara painted in the style of surrealism and oil was her chosen medium. Her eloquent and powerful canvases are reminiscent of Rene Magritte. One of Barbara's paintings is permanently displayed in the Newark Museum of Art. Her work is currently on display in the Summa Gallery in New York City.

Barbara's skill and devotion to art traces back to her employment at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. in 1941. She was responsible for the design, layout, typography and final art work for their health publications, booklets, pamphlets and posters. Barbara was responsible for the construction of three dimensional exhibits for the Company's conventions. In addition, Barbara did freelance illustration, chiefly medical texts and book jackets.

After work Barbara was continually enrolled in night school courses, concentrating mainly on graphic design. Among these were courses with Stephano Cusumano at The Art Career School, N.Y.; Xanti Schawinsky (formerly associated with the Bauhaus, Germany, and Black Mountain College, U.S.) at New York University; and Alexe Brolovitch, Jack Stewart and Art Kane at The New School, N.Y.

Barbara studied life drawing with Mr. Simon at N.Y.U and sculpture with Chaim Gross at The New School. Barbara also studied graphic design with special emphasis on typography at the American Institute of Graphic Design.

In 1959 Barbara left her job to devote full time to painting.

In 1974, Barbara received a Bachelor of Science Degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Evening Division.

1974 Group show, Allied Artists of America, N.Y.

1975 Group show, Gruenebaum Gallery, N.Y.

1975 One person show, Gruenebaum Gallery, N.Y.

1976 Group show, Audubon Artists, N.Y.

1977 Group show, 1st Biennial New Jersey Artists, Newark/New Jersey State Museum

1977 Permanent Collection, Newark Museum

1978 One person show, Petrenko Gallery, N.Y.

1979 Group show, Summit Art Center, N.J.

1979 Group show, Squibb Gallery, Princeton, N.J.

1984 Biennial NJ Artists, Newark Museum

1991 One person show, Summa Gallery, New York City, N.Y.

Beloved wife of Malcolm, dear sister-in-law of Charles & Mildred Gardner, loving aunt of Malcolm Gardner & Joyce Seccia, dear cousin of Nancy Zobelein, Jean De Santis, Sister John Karen, John & Charles Daglian, devoted friend of Esther & George Pirrie. 

Cremation private.

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