Betty was born on April 22, 1951, the third of the four daughters of James J. and Margaret Phillips Salvini, and she grew up in the little farming community of Hobart, N.Y. She was a graduate of South Kortright Central School, where she received recognition for art and academics. She earned degrees in Art and Special Education from Syracuse University and went on to teach in Honolulu, Hawaii. There she met and married Naval CPO Thomas E. Hardesty. After the birth of their first son, Joseph, the Navy sent them on to see the world, and they lived at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM; Navy Air Station Sigonella, Sicily; SHAPE, Belgium, where second son Jeffrey was born; and finally Jacksonville, FL. During these years, Betty enjoyed exploring the local communities. She continued to pursue her love of arts and crafts, becoming especially proficient at Belgian lace, and she was Director of Religious Education for her local Catholic parishes. As a Navy wife, she served her country, too, and she was regularly both Mom and Dad to the boys during Thom’s scheduled sea duty. Betty’s last years of life were ravaged by Multiple Sclerosis. She fought it vigorously, and she was lovingly cared for at home by her devoted and capable husband, Thom. Together they weathered many a crisis, and she never lost her ability to smile. She is survived by husband Thomas E. Hardesty, son Joseph Thomas and his wife Jennifer, and son Jeffrey Michael, as well as her three sisters Margaret, Roberta, and Gloria, and cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held 6-8 PM Thursday January 3, 2019 at HARDAGE-GIDDENS HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME 3601 Old Jennings Road Middleburg, Florida. Funeral Services will be 11AM Friday January 4, 2019 at St. Chaterine's Catholic Church, 1649 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, Florida. Memorials may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or a charity of your choice.
