Remembered Honoured Hero - In Loving Memory of Maria Luisa Gardner
Maria Luisa Gardner was a remarkable young woman who touched many lives and whose legacy continues to shine through her children, family, friends and colleagues. She was diagnosed with chronic eosinophilic leukemia in the autumn of 2006 and lost her battle in the summer of 2008.
Maria Luisa was responsible for introducing her family and friends to Light the Night and for creating the Gardner Stafford Armada team. While in treatment she heard of Light the Night and asked her mother if we could all participate together. The first year Maria Luisa walked with the Armadas and the participants held balloons rather than lanterns. She hesitated about focusing attention on her white balloon, but her family and friends were proud to stand with her as she fought. The next year she was gone but the Armada has marched ever since.
Though we lost her in 2008 the Gardner Stafford Armada continues as a bright presence at Light the Night, consistently fundraising at the VIP level. The Gardners always share with their donors the latest on blood cancer research and medical breakthroughs to keep them engaged and eager to give to the winning side. One of Maria Luisa’s high school friends, Dr. Jean Wang, has gone on to become a researcher for the blood cancer community. Her lab focuses on developing better clinical tools and more effective treatments for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Maria Luisa was a teacher of language and literature and she was comfortable in three languages: Spanish which she considered her maternal tongue, English and French. A graduate of the University of Toronto, she earned a Masters in Comparative Literature and a Bachelor of Education. She taught at the Toronto French School where she was in charge of the modern language portfolio and coached cross-country. In fact she coached right up to the day of her final hospitalization. Each year an award is given by the school in her name to a student demonstrating excellence in Spanish studies.
She always maintained a high level of activity in many directions. After becoming a classical guitarist at an early age, her musical interest turned to singing and directing her church’s folk choir. This desire to engage and focus has been grafted on to her three children who are all high-performance track and cross-country athletes. Gabriela, the oldest is the holder of multiple Canadian records and qualified for both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, while her sister Lucía has also set Canadian track records and is on track to qualify for the next Olympics. Nicholas transferred his attention from soccer to track with his aim set on the Ontario high school championships. Maria Luisa’s presence is felt in her family of tight-knit, high achievers.
Each year at Light the Night the Gardner Stafford Armada team brings together family, friends from high school and university, colleagues from the Toronto French School and neighbours. Part of Maria Luisa’s legacy is this coming together of the Armada every year. Armada attendance at Light the Night a decade later is evidence that Maria Luisa was a magnetic person whose smile could light up a room, much the way her lantern continues to shine over our Light the Night participation.
