Mary Elizabeth Hardy

Mary Hardy Gill, age 86, wife of the late George W. "Bob" Gill, passed away March 3, 2013. She was the quiet strength and supporting force behind Bob, who founded Gill Construction Company and the Gill Hotels Company, which was the developer of landmark hotels including the Escape, Jolly Roger, Sheraton Yankee Clipper and Sheraton Yankee Trader. Mary was born May 11, 1926, in Brattleboro, Vermont, the daughter of the late Eugene and Dorothea Vanderveer Hardy. She was a member of the Brattleboro High School class of 1944. Mary moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1946 with her mother and stepfather, Magnus Lofstedt. The Lofsteads purchased the first house completed by Gill Construction Company. Mary met her husband, Bob Gill, while working as a lab technician here in Fort Lauderdale in the 1940s. They married in 1949 and were married for 59 years. Mary was a passionate ballroom dancer and competed in amateur dance competitions consistently, winning numerous awards. Her love for dancing was everlasting as she still danced six days a week at age 86. She was also an avid horsewoman and an accomplished dressage rider. Mary was a true animal lover, especially when it came to her dogs. Mary and Bob were active and caring members of the community, and they are renowned for the generous support of many cultural, faith based, and service organizations. Everyone that had the privilege of meeting Mary knew her as an extremely sweet and gracious soul. Mary was always thinking of everyone before herself and saw the good and kindness in all. Mary Gill is survived by her loving daughter, Linda and Linda's husband Walter Morgan; grandchildren Jenna, Hunter, Chelsea and Ryan and three great grandchildren, Roxanne Marie, Holly and Madylan. She also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 10th at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, 301 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, 954-527-6800. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Mary's memory to the Broward Health Foundation/Hospice of Gold Coast Home Health Services, the Humane Society of Broward County or the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale. Arrangements by Fred Hunter's Funeral Home Downtown Fort Lauderdale, 954-527-1550.