Paula Gardner

It is with great sadness and loss that the Gardner family announces the passing of Paula (Sandy) Gardner, beloved wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. Paula lived an extraordinary life; a story of love, determination, perseverance, and faith. Paula was born in 1934 in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, a beautiful mountain town in the center of this pristine island. She was the oldest of eight children, who collectively consider her a second mom they dearly loved. Paula took care of her siblings as if they were her own children since she was a child. She was an excellent student who earned a scholarship to the University of Puerto Rico Nursing School and after earning her RN degree, she was honored by being chosen by the US Air Force as one of very few recipients from Puerto Rico to continue her education and training as a Lieutenant in Dayton, Ohio. It was there that she met her husband, Robert Wesley Gardner, a fellow Lieutenant and engineer in the US Air Force who she married and loved for 67 years. During her early married years, she never forgot her siblings, humbly funding her parents’ first home and college tuition for her beloved siblings.

Paula lived an active and meaningful life.She was a devoted Catholic with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Holy Rosary, which she recited daily. She worked as a registered nurse for almost three decades at Riverbend East Nursing Home in Grand Blanc and Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. She loved golfing (scoring a hole in one just a few years after learning the game), traveling, exercising, and she cherished her volunteer work with hospice and her local Catholic churches. After retiring in 1992, she and Bob split their time between homes in Puerto Rico and Michigan for over 20 years, and cherished her months in Puerto Rico reconnecting with her family, and making many new friends. Eventually, Paula and Bob settled permanently in Del Webb in Grand Blanc, where she was blessed with many new cherished friendships.

Paula leaves behind her devoted husband, Robert Sr., her son and daughter-in law Robert Jr. & Keri Gardner, daughter and son-in-law Sharon & Jim Burnor, grandchildren Matt (Hannah) Burnor, Jerod (Jenna) Gardner, Maria (Shane) Gamrat, Cassidy (Anthony) Meza, and great-grandchildren Kennedy & Kara Burnor and Leo Meza and another precious great-grandson coming to Maria & Shane this June. She also leaves behind her precious family from Puerto Rico who she adored, as well as many well-loved friends from Del Webb. She was predeceased in death by her beloved son, Randall (Randy), who passed in November, 2024.

A very special THANK YOU to Meadow Valley Assisted Living in Traverse City for the loving, exceptional care Paula received in their care, Hospice of Traverse City for the tender, perfect care they gave her in her last few weeks and hours, and especially to retired priest Father Ray Cotter from Traverse City who rushed to her side to administer Last Rites and the Final Blessing of Absolution. She passed peacefully wearing her brown Scapular. All glory to God for her holy death.

A funeral mass will occur Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM at St. Mark Catholic Church - 7296 Gale Rd., Grand Blanc, Michigan with visitation one hour prior. Paula will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan with military honors.