Jane Hardy

Mary Jane Mason Hardy (age 82), passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday March 28th 2017. Born in Camden, New Jersey on 12/9/1935, the daughter of William Reeve Mason and Philemena Graciano Mason. In high school, she was active in cheer leading, swimming, gymnastics and drama. At the age of fifteen she followed her dreams and headed for New York City. There she joined the world famous New York City Ballet, (youngest ballerina at the time to dance under Master Choreographer George Balanchine, affectionately remembered as “Mr. G”. She performed internationally with the ballet troupe throughout Europe such as Paris, Moscow, Milan and Vienna, including Egypt. She also performed as an actress both on Broadway and in movies. Furthermore she remain an active gymnast, opening up a Ballet Academy teaching her true loves, Ballet and Gymnastics.

She was a classy lady who adopted eight children. She exposed them to the highest level of culture and education from boarding schools in Switzerland, Ireland, England, Mexico to the South of France, where they lived and learned to speak several languages fluently. Her children experienced the world and adventures that she knew well. She wanted her children to experience the world as their classroom. “The world is your Oyster”, she would say.

She loved living the bohemian life in Paris and “La Dulce vita” in Monaco and the lifestyle of South East Asia. One of her bragging rights was climbing the Mount Kinabalu and she was also an avid skier and hunter. She is proceeded in death by her father William Reeves, mother Philemena Graciano, step-mother Dorothy, Ex-husband William Hardy, her grandson Michael Mason and her very best friend Carmen Hernandez.

Sincerest gratitude to the staff of The Estates Rehabilitation Facility for the great care and treatment where they treated her as the celebrity she was! Most importantly, we the siblings, would like to thank our brothers Stephan and Ali who were a great team in looking after her. She is survived by her eight children and their families. Lance and Chris David and Renee, Ali and Pam, Tyrone, Stephan and Francesca, Aida, Marchello and Micky and Gabriela as well as 12 grandchildren (Jellito, Brian, Rey, Athena, Collum, Bianca, Chris, Ciara, Fernando, Hugo, Andreas and Lydia) and 11 great grandchildren.

A private memorial service to celebrate her life is scheduled for 9:00 AM Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Laurel Land, Ft. Worth, Texas.