Cecilia Christine Gardner

Cecilia “Chris” Main Gardner, age 75, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on September 24, 2025, much like she lived her life - on her own terms - following complications from a heart procedure. True to her favorite saying, “It’s my way or the highway,” her passing reflected the independence and determination that defined her life. After several days at her bedside, she waited until all of her children were gathered around her before peacefully slipping away, surrounded by love. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Emerald Groves North for the kindness and care they provided during her final year.

We will be celebrating the life of Chris Gardner on October 7, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints building: 3344 E. McDowell Road, Mesa, Arizona. There will be a family viewing at 9:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m., a short graveside dedication at 11:30 a.m., and a luncheon at 12:30 p.m., courtesy of the Valley View Ward Relief Society. She will be interred at the Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery, at 401 N. Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Chris was born in Kalispell, Montana, on May 26, 1950. Chris was married to her high school sweetheart, Fredie Gardner, civilly on August 3, 1968. They were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona, temple on March 13, 1971, exactly nine months to the day that their firstborn, Artie, arrived. Chris and Fred were married for nearly 52 years before Fred’s passing.

Chris wrote a life memoir in 2015, full of her life stories and the love she had for her family, especially her children. In it, she talks about her first eight years in Montana. She admits she doesn’t remember much except for one thing: her deep hatred of horses. She wrote, “I recall very clearly when I acquired my phobia about horses. I was little, around three years old, and Dad put me on a horse that was not tied down. Dad went back inside the barn to get his horse ready. That is when the horse I was on decided to go out to feed in the pasture. I screamed and got Dad's attention, and he came running after us. Dad yelled out to me to ‘hold onto the mane!’ and I was confused about that. Our last name was Main, so I had no idea what the mane was. Dad rescued me, and I was fine, but I was forced to get back on the horse so I wouldn't be afraid. I was widely quoted to have declared to everyone that I would only ride horses that were not breathing. I remember that I meant how they snort and shake their heads by the breathing description. It is one of those family legends that changes with time.”

In 1958, her family began the trek to Arizona, where, to her dismay, her father bought a motel and horse stables. Her most prominent memory from those years involves the pool she and her siblings loved. She recalls, “I happened to walk out front one day when no one else was around, and Lily was floating face down. I went inside and said something about how cool it was that the baby had learned the ‘dead man float’!! Mom didn't care much about swimming, but she immediately jumped in with all of her clothes on. In my defense, I was 8 or under, and I had never heard of the campaign telling everyone to watch the kids round water!”

They sold the dreaded motel and stables in 1959. Her father moved into pest control and a cottonseed plant, where he died in a tragic accident in 1961. Chris was just 11, suddenly responsible for “women’s work” at home, caring for her three younger sisters while her brothers helped by taking turns skipping school.

At 17, she was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after gaining a strong testimony at 16. Fred had gained his at the same age, and she remembers the two of them often meeting with missionaries together while they waited until they were old enough to marry.

Animals were a running theme in her life. She remembers her first dog, Muggy, a little fuzzy greyhound-terrier mix. Muggy was her first pet that was hers alone, but she had to leave the pup behind when she moved to Shreveport with Fred. “I went on a Greyhound bus and had to leave her with my Mom and siblings. I grieved over that little mutt, and apparently, she was worse off than I was. She was declared an outside dog when she used Mom's bed for a urinal. One day, Fred got a secret phone call, and all he would tell me was that we had to go to the airport to get a package. Artha had happened by the old home and picked up my little Muggy! She and I were both so happy! She was with us for many more years. I don't know if my thanks were conveyed sincerely enough over our short long-distance phone calls, but we were very happy for this gift of love.”

Chris lived her life serving others, putting her EMT-B certificate to work as a Health Assistant at Cordova Elementary School. Before moving into nursing, she served as a part-time Volunteer Coordinator for the Alhambra Elementary School District at Andalucía Elementary. Altogether, she spent 18 years with the district before her first retirement. After that, she began subbing at other schools until she was invited by the superintendent to return to Andalucía Elementary, where she worked another two years before retiring for good. She said, “I loved being with the children, and many of them see me in the neighborhood and come for hugs when I pull into my driveway.”

She goes on to talk about her joy in starting a family. “Growing up, all I ever wanted to be was a Mother. A good mother and wife were my goals; I would list career questions while still in school.” Her first child, Artie, was born in December 1971. Shortly after his birth, she had to have surgery and spent weeks recovering—her only time apart from him. She recalls, “He was brought to see me one time during that first and only separation from me. I remember he was looking at all the tubes and stuff, and then he gently laid his face on my chest. It spoke volumes of love to both of us.” Artie was called back to heaven in October 1973. She took up Avon soon after to fill her time and became a very successful ambassador.

In 1975, her “Gift from God,” Ivy, was born. “I barely set her down, I was just so happy to finally have her to love and cherish. She and I went out around the neighborhood, and she thrived. She was also the shining star for her extended family.” Emily followed in 1978. Chris described her as “bright and cheerful right away, although I had to learn new parenting techniques…When I'd try to put her down to sleep, she would invariably wake and scream. I finally figured out she needed that last vocalization to get settled down.” In 1981, her third daughter, Stacey, was born. Chris spent the whole pregnancy talking and singing to her baby, which she thought would be a boy named Scotty, but turned out to have “the wrong parts” for that name. Fred chose the name Stacey because of its similar letters, and Stacey later named her son Scott in honor of what was meant to be her original name.

In 1988, her sister Lily told her that her niece and nephew, Shannon and Shawn, needed a home, and Chris immediately knew she could offer it. “I had already inquired and started the ball rolling when Fred came home after the week in Scout camp. When he tells the story, he says he came home and I informed him we had two more children! I was surprised recently to find out that our son believed that! When Fred tells stories, they get embellished along the way.”

Chris and Fred were sealed to all of their children in the Mesa temple in 1991. She ends the family section of her memoir with the quote her grandchildren know best: “Is it clear that I will always love all of my kids, no matter what? As with the grandchildren, my favorite will always be the one I'm with.”

Chris was preceded in death by her own son and daughter: Arthur “Artie” Gardner, just before the young age of 2, and Emily Keith, who passed at age 41 from cancer. She was also preceded by her husband, Fredie, who passed in 2020, and her parents, Norma Covey in 2019, and Elmer Main in 1961, when she was just 11 years old. Siblings that preceded her were Donald and Louis Main, and Linda Harmon.

Chris is survived by her children, Ivana “Ivy” Bonhorst with husband Chris; Stacey Thomas with husband Douglas; Shawn Gardner and Shannon Gardner. Her greatest joys were her 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She is survived by grandkids: Ivy and Chris Bonhorst’s children, Sierra Bonhorst, Brooke Bonhorst-Hodges (married to Paige Hodges), Logan and Colter; Emily and Greg Keith’s child Emma; Stacey and Doug Thomas’ two sons, Arthur Joseph “AJ” and Scott; and Shannon Gardner’s two daughters, Elleanor and Amelia Saltmarsh. She also loved her 2 great-grandchildren, thanks to Sierra: Carter and Emersyn Davis. Shawn’s girlfriend, Elizabeth Phillips’s son, Robert “Bubba,” was also a joy in her life. Chris is also survived by siblings Lily Reed, Sandra Pahssen, and Lorn Main.

Chris will be remembered for her strength, humor, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her love for children, animals, and service will continue to live on through all who knew her. We take comfort knowing she is now reunited with those she loved and will continue to be with us in spirit.