Anne Leeds Hardy
Anne Leeds Hardy went to be with her Savior on December 20, 2009, after suffering from congestive heart failure for several years. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jess E. “Pat” Hardy, a resident of Fullerton; and her two sons, Lee Patrick Hardy (Grand Rapids, MI) and Jay Raymond Hardy (Nipomo, CA).
Anne was born in Philadelphia, PA, on April 1, 1917. She spent her youth there and in Atlantic City, NJ. In high school she enjoyed competitive sports; such as field hockey, volleyball, and tennis. After graduating, she was employed at the famous Wanamaker’s Department Store in Philadelphia as a clerk and served as a cadet in the marching band.
Shortly after the beginning of WWII, Anne, desiring to serve her country, joined the Women Marines. She joined in 1943 (during the first year that the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was established) and received her basic training at Camp Lejuene, NC. She chose to be stationed at the Marine Corp Station in Goleta, CA, which has since become UC Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Airport. There, she was a driver for the motor transport pool and drove a variety of vehicles; including jeeps, Chevy sedans, 5 ton stake trucks, buses, weapons and personnel carriers. She was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant after the war was over.
After returning to the East Coast to live with family, she decided that California was the place to be. Anne saved up for bus fare and rode out to Santa Barbara, where she found employment at a book store. Soon she met an interesting pharmacist who worked at the pharmacy next door. After a brief courtship, she married Pat Hardy on May 27, 1949. After moving to the neighboring city of Ventura, she bore two sons 16 months apart; Lee and Jay.
In 1953, Pat Hardy assumed ownership of Hardy’s Drug Store from his father in Fullerton. Anne and Pat have made Fullerton their home ever since.
Anne had the generous heart of a volunteer and was involved in many non-profit organizations such as; Meals on Wheels, Calvary Chapel, and several Gospel organizations. Anne exemplified true Christian service in all she did and will be missed by all friends and family.
John M. Leeds
To the Hardy Family,
On behalf the the Leeds Family please accept our sincere sympathy for your loss. My she always be in your thoughts and prayers. I am,
Respectfully,
John M. Leeds
2156 Main Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
401-743-0985
