Maruta Rubens Gardner (February 20, 1947 – February 13, 2016)[1][2] was an American community activist and public school administrator serving in the roles of teacher, vice principal, principal, and assistant superintendent of schools[3] in San Diego County, California who has a City of San Diego half-acre park and playground named after her.
[5] She then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1969 from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, where she served as president of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.
[9] When Gardner retired in 2008, she was the executive director of the San Diego County Office of Education, Juvenile Court and Community Schools.
[16] Every November 3 since Gardner's death, residents participate in a beach cleanup as a continuing memorial to her and to honor her dedication to community service.
[17] A large mural, painted on a Mission Bay High School wall by artist John Vallas, was unveiled in Gardner's memory in 2017.