Valerie Ireta (Thorne) Gardner, 60, passed away on October 26 after a courageous battle with cancer. A resident of Cape Coral and Sanibel Island, Florida she was originally from Ashland, MA. Valerie graduated from Marian High School and Framingham State College. She was a loving mother, and also managed a medical office for many years. Valerie enjoyed travel, interior decoration, gardening, reading, the arts, and was active in her local parish. She is survived by her sons Adam and David, her parents Robert and Marilyn Thorne of Ashland, brothers Robert, Gregory his wife Carol, and sister Susan. She is also survived by nephews Michael and Paul, in addition to aunts, uncles, and many cousins. Memorial calling hours will be held at the Matarese funeral home in Ashland from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday November 4, and a memorial mass will take place at St. Cecilia's church in Ashland on Monday November 5 at 9:00 a.m. A mass and gathering for friends was also held in Florida. Donations specifically for lung cancer may be sent to the American Cancer Society.