Leila Burnell Gardner

Leila was married to her husband and childhood sweetheart, Stafford (Neville) Gardner for 62 years and was the devoted mother of three children; Michelle, Jannelle and Jarrett Gardner.

Leila was born on February 4th, 1939 in Kingston Jamaica to Linda and Gethrum Mattis. She grew up as one of 10 children in the Jones Town neighborhood of Kingston. At the age of 17, she migrated to London, England to begin her studies in Nursing. Her training included midwifery, but she further developed her career in the areas of telemetry and medical-surgical. She earned a Bachelors degree in Nursing and had a long successful profession as a Registered Nurse.

In 1970, she immigrated from London to the United States, living in New York and New Jersey before moving to south Florida in 1980. She later relocated to Port St Lucie in 1994. During this time, she continued working in the field of nursing and retired in 2013.

Aside from being a dedicated nurse, she enjoyed fashion and loved shopping for the latest trends. Leila also enjoyed planting and gardening and had quite a "green thumb," bringing life to everything she planted. She believed in the value of education and always sought ways to improve herself. As a hard worker, she instilled those values in her children teaching them that respect and ambition is the foundation of success.

Leila is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Stafford (Neville);her three children Michelle Gardner of Fort Lauderdale FL, Jannelle and Jarrett Gardner of Fort Pierce FL and grandchildren; Andre Silvera, Kayla Gardner, Preston Richards and Marley Allen. To mourn her loss, she leaves behind her sisters Valerie (Mattis) Burgher in London UK; Marian (Mattis) Burton in Kingston, Jamaica and her brother Norman Mattis also of Kingston, Jamaica. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and close long time friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, Linda and Gethrum Mattis; her brothers, Ken, Basil and Milton Mattis; sisters, Vilma (Mattis) Smith, Marjorie (Madgie) and Marcia Mattis.

Leila loved flowers and greenery, but we also ask for donations to be made in her memory to any foundation for Dementia or Alzheimer's research.

"Your presence I'll miss, your memory I'll treasure, loving you always, forgetting you never."