HARDY

A proud Nova Scotian, Mollie Jean (Lewis) Hardy was the daughter of the late Henry Crowell Lewis of Yarmouth and Pauline (Manning) Lewis of Falmouth, and sister of Pauline Hale (William) and Dorothy Williams (Basil). She spent her younger years in Yarmouth and Halifax, with frequent summertime visits to her grandparents’ hotel at Evangeline Beach. After graduating from QEII High School and Mount Allison University, Mollie married Erving Oscar (‘Ozzie’) Hardy, of Elmsdale, PEI. They embarked on a life of adventures enhanced by the addition of six beloved children: Suzanne Amos (Greg), Janice Mansfield (John Grierson), Margot Schelew, Bruce Hardy (Julia Elvidge), Paula Roy (Michael) and Alec Hardy (Kim). Their family further expanded to include 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, each of whom Mollie adored.

A lover of nature, sports, art, cats, black licorice and practical jokes, Mollie’s many pursuits included gardening, needlework, cooking, crossword puzzles, birdwatching and reading. She loved playing games, particularly those involving words, at which she excelled and was difficult to beat. 

These pastimes served her well as the family shuttled around for the many postings during Ozzie’s long and successful military career. Especially enjoyable was their three year stint in the Netherlands, which gave Mollie the opportunity to grow into the avid international traveler she was always destined to become, thanks to the inspiration and example of her own mother.

Upon retirement from the military, the couple settled in Indian Point, Lunenburg County, NS, where their seaside home served as a magnet for family and friends. Mollie flourished there, as did her expansive flower and vegetable gardens. She became an active member of the United Church Women at Trinity United Church in Mahone Bay and was a founding member of the Mahone Bay Quilt Guild. She continued to travel the globe, making regular visits to Europe and the Caribbean, as well as rafting and camping through the Grand Canyon and eagerly exploring many other countries including Thailand, China, India, Nepal, Iceland, Italy, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, Morocco and New Zealand, to name just a few. She also enjoyed frequent ocean swims into her 91st year.

Please consider an act of kindness towards someone, in her honour. For those who wish, memorial donations to the Mahone Islands Conservation Association (www.mahoneislands.ns.ca) would be appreciated. Memories or messages of condolence can be sent directly to the family at rememberingmolliehardy@gmail.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home. To leave a condolence message on their website, visit www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca. A private celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Mollie’s deep love of family and unwavering sense of humour will never be forgotten.