Deni Marie Gardner

Latham, NY - Deni Marie Gardner, 47, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 24, 2021. Deni was the daughter of the late Dennis Pike and Donna Morgan. Deni was born in Kansas City, KS and then grew up on a farm in Lawson, MO. She later moved to NY where she graduated from Rondout Valley High School and then went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Albany. She married the late Kenneth Gardner and had a beautiful daughter, Olivia, and settled down in Latham.

Deni loved life and lived hers to the fullest. She lit up every room she entered and had a profound impact on everyone she met. Her contagious laughter and kind and loving spirit was always felt by everyone lucky enough to encounter her. Deni was passionate about food and a phenomenal cook. Her culinary creations delighted family and friends who probably still have some of her food containers. Deni raised her daughter to be a strong woman by setting the example of hard work, perserverance, and dedication. She was beloved by her co-workers and clients. She treated her many friends like family and was a Mom to many of her daughter's friends. Deni's light burned bright and strong and was put out way too soon. Stylish, creative, beautiful, fun, loving, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, girlfriend, friend.

Deni is survived by her daughter, Olivia; her step-mother Lea Wilkins; her siblings, Donette Stukes, Terry Craig, Bryon Pike, and Keitha Gardner; her nieces and nephews, Danny Stukes, Cairn Pike, Levi Craig and Chad Gardner; paternal grandparents to Olivia, Ken and Nancy Gardner; her partner, Len DiCostanzo; her "best male friend", Mark Baker and her colleagues at Gallagher Insurance; her girl crew and many more loving relatives and friends.

Calling hours will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Rd., Watervliet, on Friday, April 30, 2021 from 9:00 am to 11:45 am. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 11:45 am. Gathering size within our chapels will be based on the most current NYS occupancy requirements. Masks are required and social distancing is to be observed inside and outside of our chapels. For those who may be unable to attend the service, below please find a link (copy and paste it in your browser) to join the family via live stream.

Donations to support Olivia's Nursing Education may be made to:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oliviagardnerr

https://youtu.be/8AnCAvF1GpY (live stream) (copy and paste it in your browser)