Lisa Carol Gardner

     Lisa Carol Gardner, age 59, of Denton, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at her home, surrounded by the people she loved most.

     Born on June 11, 1966, in Baltimore, Maryland, Lisa was the daughter of the late Stephen Michael Maceiko and Jean Catherine Thomas Maceiko. She graduated from Old Mill High School in Glen Burnie in 1984. From an early age, Lisa had a strong spirit, a caring heart, and a deep desire to help others—qualities that would define her life.

     Lisa dedicated her career to serving her community as an EMT. She was a past member of the Denton Volunteer Fire Company and worked for Life Star Response in Seaford, Delaware, where she took immense pride in her work. Helping people wasn’t just her job - it was who she was. She approached every call, every patient, and every challenge with compassion, strength, and professionalism. Lisa was also a faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church in Denton, where her faith and sense of community were important parts of her life.

     Above all else, Lisa was a devoted wife, mother, Mammie, and friend. She is survived by her loving husband, Donald R. Gardner, with whom she shared love, laughter, and life in Denton; her sons, Christopher Bacorn (Brittney) of Middle River, Maryland, and Michael Bacorn (Alyssa) of Ridgely, Maryland; her brother, Stephen Maceiko of Baltimore; her stepson, Tyler Gardner of Laurel, Maryland; and her bonus daughter, Isa Lofland (Earl) of Goldsboro, Maryland.

     Lisa’s greatest joy was her family—especially her grandchildren. She was a proud and loving Mammie to Cheyenne, Mackenzie, Liam, Olivia, Piper, Braxton, Ellie, Nola, Slias, Beau, Sawyer, Isabelle, Carter, Presley, and Evelyn each of whom held a very special place in her heart. She cherished every moment with them and loved them fiercely and unconditionally.

     Lisa also leaves behind many work and firehouse “kids” who affectionately referred to her as “momma Lisa” whom she’s adopted throughout the years.

     Lisa will be remembered for her big heart, her dedication to helping others, her love for her family, and the many lives she touched through her work and kindness. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and love that will live on in all who knew her.

     A celebration of life will be held at Ridgely Volunteer Firehouse at 4pm on Friday January 16th. A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Gay Street, Denton, Maryland, on Saturday January 17th at 11am.

     Gifts in memory of Lisa may be mailed to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, PO Box 49143, Baltimore, MD 21297-9143. Please mark any gifts with a memo indicating this gift is in memory of Lisa C. Gardner. Checks should be payable to Johns Hopkins University, or you can make a gift a Hopkinscancer.org.

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