Obituary of Maria Gardner

GARDNER, María LuisaWife of Jamie Stafford, mother of Gabriela, Lucia and Nicholas, died at the age of 42 on Monday, July 7th, 2008 in Mount Sinai Hospital's intensive care unit after a two-year battle with leukemia. She is also survived by her parents, John and Encarnita Gardner, and by her brother John Anthony and her sister Sara Margaret. María Luisa's education was steeped in languages and literature, and her profession was teaching. She was a graduate of the University of Toronto Schools and the University of Toronto (B.A. Trinity, M.A., B.Ed.). At the Toronto French School she taught Spanish and coordinated the Modern Languages Department. Her students will remember the vitality of her classes and the strength of their relationships with her. Even in her final months she was coaching school sports teams. María Luisa's family was central to her life. A loving wife, together with her husband Jamie, she devoted time and energy to their daughters' activities: Irish dancing, track, Children's Opera Chorus and soccer. Throughout her illness she continued living intensely, always thinking of others first. Our heartfelt thanks go to her friends who provided comfort and support until the last moment, and to the extraordinary medical and nursing staff of the University Health Network for their professional care and human kindness. María Luisa fought for life with courage, never wasting a moment in complaints or tears. Her smile will always illuminate us. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A.W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue East) from 2:00 - 4:00 & 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13. Funeral Mass in BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH, 24 Cheritan Avenue on Monday, July 14 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at the Donalda Club, 12 Bushbury Drive. If desired, donations could be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, 416-585-2873. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com