Saint Nancy And The Professor

Saint Nancy and The Professor: A Six Decade Commitment to Love and Joy is a biographical and autobiographical memoir written by John D. Stewart Jr. and William A. Gardner, published in 2026, initiated by the passing of Nancy on 26 March 2024.
The book honors the life of Nancy Susan Gardner (referred to as "St. Nancy") and chronicles an almost six-decade marriage to William "Bill" A. Gardner (a Research Professor at UC Davis, known as "The Professor").
Some of the highlight themes are:
A Love Story Against Adversity: The core narrative details a deep, unconditional devotion and "intricate and joyous collaboration" between Nancy and Bill. Despite facing life-threatening genetic illnesses and a frustratingly uncompassionate medical system that left Nancy bedridden for the final seven years of her life, the couple remained vibrantly happy and resilient.
The "Saint" and "The Professor": The titles reflect their roles during Nancy's long health battle. Nancy earned the moniker "St. Nancy" for her unyielding grace, patience, and ebullient joy-never complaining despite her immense suffering. Bill became "The Professor" who applied his fierce academic and analytical focus to relentlessly research ways to advocate for his wife's health.
A Full Life of Pursuits: The book highlights Nancy's vibrant passions, including her mastery of gourmet French and Italian cuisine, her love of extensive international travel, fabric weaving, and her insatiable appetite for reading. It also delves into Bill's highly accomplished academic life in applied mathematics, his personal battles overcoming Tourette Syndrome and dyslexia, and his love for restoration projects-such as reviving their beautiful mountain residence, Vista Norte, in Napa, California.
Philanthropy and Community: Because health challenges prevented them from having children, the couple redirected their energy and wealth toward helping young adults, creating permanent scholarships at UC Davis, and generously funding individuals in need.
Co-authored by their close friend and physical therapist, John Stewart, the memoir serves as an inspiring blueprint for other couples navigating unexpected life calamities, illustrating how unconditional love and an enduring inner spirit can triumph over profound physical suffering.