Gigi Daniel and Her Legacy of Love Through the Years

“Gigi” Daniel’s relationship with Ave Maria University is rooted in her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. “I love Our Lady,” she says. “Everyone does. I decided to dedicate my life to Mary and was called to action because of her.” That “action” involved becoming a founder of AMU when it was nothing but an array of tomato fields.

Gigi and her late husband Louie gave their first financial gift to the University in 2003, followed by continuous support. The statue of the apostle St. James, which graces the outside of the oratory, was one of their first gifts. She has even included AMU in her estate.

Gigi is both a “doer and donor.” She involved herself in the many fundraisers over the years to help support the needs of the University. Gigi was first introduced to AMU when she met Dr. Carole Carpenter, VP University Relations. Carole was gathering names of those who were interested in the formation of AMU. Gigi loved the name “Ave Maria University” and decided she could never go wrong in working for Our Lady. So inspired by the Holy Spirit, she offered to serve. Not long after, her attention turned to Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, which she was happy to support and promote.

In the years that followed, Gigi was approached by Dr. Matthew Anderson, the provost of the Latin America campus of Ave Maria, who was interested in building a shrine to Our Lady; Gigi was honored to make his dream a reality. She and Carole Carpenter traveled to Nicaragua in 2014 for the dedication of the shrine that to this day is visited by students who go there to study and to pray.

Today at the age of 92, Gigi is grateful to have “played a small role in the development of this wonderful university dedicated to Our Lady”.

“Sisters and brothers let us do good while we have time.” —St. Francis of Assisi