Jennifer "BJ" Gardner

Jennifer Betty Jean Antista Gardner, age 64, a retired Registered Nurse of Miramar, FL passed away peacefully at Azalea Gardens Memory Care on December 6, 2023 in Tallahassee, FL after a five year fight with dementia.

She was the youngest daughter of the late Jim and Florie Antista of New York City. Jennifer was born in Hollywood, FL on October 9, 1959. Jennifer grew up in Miramar, FL and was a graduate of Miramar High School. She furthered her education at Broward and Miami-Dade Community Colleges before earning a Bachelor in Science of Nursing from Florida State University in 1984.

She was confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Miramar and most recently had attended Evangel Assembly in Tallahassee. Her hobbies included painting, gardening, walking, traveling, and spending time with her family. Jennifer traveled extensively and lived in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Japan, and Kentucky before moving to Tallahassee in 2007.

Jennifer is survived by her husband, John Gardner of 39 years; daughters, Sarah Gardner of Los Angeles, CA, and Gabrielle (Jared) Norris of Thomasville, GA; and her son, JD Gardner and girlfriend Hannah Smith of St Petersburg, FL. She is survived also by her brother, Jim (Marsha) Antista of Tallahassee; sister, Mary Jane Fruit of Hollywood, FL; brother, Robert (Penka) Antista of Charlotte, NC; and her nieces and nephews, Angela Tavares, Christopher Antista, Lauren Antista, Alec Antista, and Devin Antista. She was also loved by her sisters and brother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. Her beloved dogs, Homer and Lily, and cats, Bella and Sake, will dearly miss her.

Jennifer will be buried at a private family funeral at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. There will be a public memorial and reception at noon on January 5, 2024 at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home located at 700 Timberlane Rd. Tallahassee, FL. All are invited.

In lieu of flowers, please consider an equivalent donation in her name to the Alzheimer's Project of Tallahassee www.Alzheimersproject.org