Stacy (Helmreich) `93 and Mike Gardner `91

Stacy and I both attended Malone but we actually met in Cleveland as we were on a student activity mission trip on a Saturday in November 1990. Specifically, 11/17/1990. I believe it was called Heart and Hand Ministry and we were delivering Thanksgiving food in grocery bags to the area as well as helping with a clothing ministry.

We were both there alone as neither of our friends could make it that day so we ended up teaming up. That is the day we met and we went on our first date 6 days later on Thanksgiving break.

We were ultimately married on 5/20/1995 and had two GREAT kids. We were married for over 20 years before tragedy struck our lives!

We lost Stacy, my true love and my children's mother WAY too soon in a very traumatic accident with a semi after coming home from a mini vacation.

I still thought I would enter this contest because we both loved Malone College and if it were not for meeting on that student activity, I wouldn't have my kids today nor would I have experienced being married to my best friend and the love of my life! Thank you Malone College. God Bless

On a sidenote, Stacy was very involved in the psychology club at Malone college. She continued her education and ultimately became a mental health clinical counselor for over 20 years.

She was highly sought after as a counselor throughout all of Stark County! Yes, I still like to brag about her!

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Malone University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Revealed

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