Eleanor Tilden Gardner
1935-March 14, 2026
Portola Valley, California
Submitted by Lynn Holthaus

Eleanor “Ellie” Whittier Tilden Gardner, a fourth-generation San Franciscan and a beloved presence in the Portola Valley community, passed away on March 14, 2026. Born in San Francisco to Heber Voorman Tilden and Eleanor Whittier Weir Tilden, Ellie spent her childhood in Woodside, where she developed a lifelong love of horses, the outdoors, and painting. She attended Sacred Heart Schools and Castilleja before graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

After college, Ellie returned to the Bay Area, where she met William John Gardner. They married at Stanford Memorial Church and settled in Palo Alto before moving to Portola Valley in 1967, where they raised their three children.

A gifted artist and generous teacher, Ellie taught painting to adults and children for more than 60 years. She was also a proud member of the Junior League and Peninsula Volunteers. She was an active member of the Woodside–Atherton Garden Club for 45 years and shared her talents widely as Flower Coordinator at Christ Episcopal Church, leader of the Woodside Art Show, and Chair of the Portola Valley Cultural Arts Committee. For the past 16 years, she enriched life at The Sequoias with monthly art exhibits, classes, and floral arrangements.

Ellie is survived by her children Scott (Ann Marie), Mark, and Lynn (Randy), and her grandchildren Wesley, William, John, and Samantha. She is preceded in death by her husband, John, and her brother Heber.

In remembrance of Ellie, the family kindly requests donations be made in her name to Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside, 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028. A private family service was held.

Tags: arts/media, public service