BREWSTER – Elizabeth M. Hardy of Brewster, MA died peacefully November 15, 2019 at Carleton Willard Village, Bedford MA. in the loving company of her family. She was the daughter of Mabel E. Culliney and Thomas F. Culliney. Born on Aug. 20, 1929 in Scituate, she grew up and lived in Cohasset, Ma for 22 years.
“Liz” graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in 1951 and began her first career designing costumes for the theatre. That same year, she married the love of her life, Robert S. Hardy, of Dorchester, MA. She was a devoted wife and they were married for 42 years. When Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as an officer they lived abroad and all over the United States.
The birth of their children reflected only a few of the places where they resided while in military service. Susan Gale Hardy, born in Tripoli, Libya, Stephen Mark Hardy, born in St. Albans, Vermont, Lesley Ann Hardy born in Bath, Maine and Michael Joseph Hardy, born in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
After retiring from the military and settling in Burlington, MA. where they lived for 27 years, Liz and Bob reflected on how blessed their life was. They decided to adopt another child from Korea, and Christina (Chafe) joined the family. When Christina started elementary school, Liz started a new career as an Art Teacher and Kindergarten Teachers Aid at the Fox Hill School in Burlington where she worked for 17 years.
Liz retired to Brewster with Bob in 1991, living in a neighborhood they loved and in a house they had built. They were ready for new adventures. Liz was excited to start her artistic painting again, inspired by the sea and landscapes of Cape Cod.
She was a member of the Orleans Art Assoc., Nauset Painters and The Eastwind Gallery, which she helped to found. With the help of her husband, Liz created “Hardy Houses” which were miniature historic houses and buildings, mostly of the Brewster area.
Original members of the “Friends of Crosby Mansion” Liz and Bob were instrumental in saving the mansion from being torn down and for many years, Liz was a docent, giving tours of the property.
Liz was also an active member of the Brewster Women’s’ Club, The Garden Club of Brewster, the Nauset Newcomers Club and The Orleans Yacht Club. She enjoyed traveling in Europe, playing Bridge and reading a good book.
More than anything else, Liz loved and enjoyed her family. She especially loved being a grandmother and always called her grandchildren her “Treasures.”
Her husband Bob, her sister in law Judy Culliney and nephew Richard Culliney predecease Elizabeth. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Hardy and her husband, William H. Martling of Centerville, MA., son, Stephen Hardy and his daughter Allison Hardy of Burlington, MA., daughter, Lesley Hardy of Bartlett, NH. and her son Maxwell Yelle, of North Andover, MA., son, Michael J. Hardy, his wife Virginia and children Nicole, Erin and Michael R. Hardy of Burlington, MA., her daughter, Christina Chafe, and her husband, Retired Lt. Colonel Mark Chafe and their children, Shannon and Robert Chafe of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her brother, Thomas Culliney, of Scituate, MA and his daughter, USAF Staff Sergeant Lyn Briggs of Cohasset, also survive her.
Visitation will be held Tuesday November 19, 2019 at the Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653 between the hours of 4 pm and 7 pm.
A Funeral Mass at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, 61 Canal Rd. Orleans, MA 02653 at 10 am. Wednesday, November 20 will be followed by burial at the Brewster Cemetery on Lower Road in Brewster.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
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