Barbara Joan Gardner
October 30, 1941 – September 12, 2021
Barbara “Bobbi” Joan Gardner passed away on Sept. 12, 2021, at the Sun Terrace Rehabilitation Center.
Bobbi was born on Oct. 30, 1941, to Wanda and Edward Barszcz in Niagara Falls, New York, and is survived by her husband, Royal “Roy” Gardner, as well as three children and eight grandchildren.
Bobbi dedicated herself to helping those in crisis, and the ripple effect of her life is immeasurable. During a two-decade-long career as a schoolteacher, she decided to volunteer for a first aid squad, becoming an EMT and working her way to captain of the volunteer squad. She then worked as a county paramedic in New Jersey and as a medical director of education in a hospital in South Carolina. During that time, one of her proudest accomplishments was delivering six babies.
Bobbi then applied her skills as a CPR instructor to thousands of students. In teaching so many, it is impossible to measure just how many lives she has been responsible for saving. Bobbi received multiple accolades and awards throughout her career; but her dedication is perhaps best seen in the many handwritten letters she received from those she helped and saved.
Bobbi married her husband Roy in 1962, at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Niagara Falls, the same church of her baptism, communion, and confirmation. They welcomed their first child, Roy, in 1963, followed by Kathleen in 1964 and Eddie in 1965. In 1966 they got a TV, and in 1967 they went on a beach vacation.
Bobbi truly loved without condition, a quality she shared with and encouraged in her eight grandchildren: Colin, Shannon, Benny, Jake, Zack, Ryan, Claudia and Eliza.
Bobbi’s light and legacy will continue in those blessed enough to know and be loved by her.
Bobbi was born on Oct. 30, 1941, to Wanda and Edward Barszcz in Niagara Falls, New York, and is survived by her husband, Royal “Roy” Gardner, as well as three children and eight grandchildren.
Bobbi dedicated herself to helping those in crisis, and the ripple effect of her life is immeasurable. During a two-decade-long career as a schoolteacher, she decided to volunteer for a first aid squad, becoming an EMT and working her way to captain of the volunteer squad. She then worked as a county paramedic in New Jersey and as a medical director of education in a hospital in South Carolina. During that time, one of her proudest accomplishments was delivering six babies.
Bobbi then applied her skills as a CPR instructor to thousands of students. In teaching so many, it is impossible to measure just how many lives she has been responsible for saving. Bobbi received multiple accolades and awards throughout her career; but her dedication is perhaps best seen in the many handwritten letters she received from those she helped and saved.
Bobbi married her husband Roy in 1962, at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Niagara Falls, the same church of her baptism, communion, and confirmation. They welcomed their first child, Roy, in 1963, followed by Kathleen in 1964 and Eddie in 1965. In 1966 they got a TV, and in 1967 they went on a beach vacation.
Bobbi truly loved without condition, a quality she shared with and encouraged in her eight grandchildren: Colin, Shannon, Benny, Jake, Zack, Ryan, Claudia and Eliza.
Bobbi’s light and legacy will continue in those blessed enough to know and be loved by her.