Mia Canariis Hardcastle

Mia Canariis Hardcastle passed away the day after Easter, 21 April 2025. Mia was born to Svend and Billie Canariis on 17 December 1934 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mia moved to Tampa in 1948, graduating from Plant High School as Valedictorian in 1952. Mia graduated from Vanderbilt University Engineering School in 1956 with the Founders Medal. While at Vanderbilt, Mia met Kendrick Crossman Hardcastle III and the two were married in 1956.

Mia worked with Hayes Aircraft Corp in Ft. Rucker, Alabama, then with Goodyear Aircraft Corporation as a project engineer in research and development. In 1958, Ken and Mia returned to Tampa and worked with Svend A. Canariis Corporation. In 1961 Mia retired to give birth to Ken and in 1965 to Chris.

Mia followed in her mother's volunteer footsteps, with the Red Cross, as chair of the Junior Red Cross Program and then as chair of the Good Neighbor Division of the United Way in 1965, 1975 and again in 1984. Mia served on the Board of the American Red Cross, and as Secretary in 1964, on the Board of the United Way, Secretary in 1968, on the Board of the University of South Florida Foundation, the Community Coordinating Council. In 1965, Mia was named to Florida Women of Distinction and in 1966 to outstanding young women in America.

Mia was named to the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Board in 1970. Mia believed in the preserving the environment and served in the Tampa-Hillsborough County Sanitation Study Committee in 1972. As Chair of the Environmental Council sponsored by the Junior League, Mia and Vevie Dimmit influenced the City Sanitation to initiate the first recycling program in the city. Mia and Pat Gill influenced TECO to contribute the land for the Cockroach Bay Science Center, which they placed in the care of Hillsborough Community College. In 1974, Mia received the Audubon award for distinguished service in the protection of the environment.

Mia worked with the Easter Seal Board, serving as president in 1984. Mia served in numerous offices, including treasurer and president of the Junior League of Tampa, Mia became a Chiseler in 1975 and served in that organization until her death.

In 1977, Mia was named to the Board of General Telephone Company. That same year, she was the first woman named to the Board of Governors of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. In 1978, Mia was named to the Board of WFLA television.

Mia was named to the Engineering Alumni council of Vanderbilt University in 1978 and served as Chairman in 1981, then was elected to the Vanderbilt Alumnae Council in 1979.

In 1980, Mia was named outstanding woman volunteer by the Tampa soroptimists. Mia was active with Suncoast shared Living, serving as president from 1985-1988. In 1987, Mia was chosen by the Salvation Army for "Persons of Dedication Award"

Mia was instrumental in bringing the Hall of Fame Game - now the Outback Bowl – to Tampa and served as it's first treasurer, serving from 1986 to 2001 on its Board of Directors.

Mia was active in the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, ordained as an elder in 1986 and elected to Synod in 1990.

Mia's husband and oldest son Ken predeceased her in 2002. Mia enjoyed creating topiaries, tennis, making her own clothes, traveling, caring for people, cheering on the Buccaneers, Rays and her Commodores. Mia's caring, generosity and commitment to the Tampa community through leadership and service were like few others. Mia spent countless hours of her own life to make the lives of many others better. Of all things that Mia was proud of, the thing she was most proud of, was her strong faith in God and our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mia was a devoted mother and grandmother and will be lovingly remembered by her son Chris Hardcastle, her grandchildren Sebastian, Samantha and Sabrina and countless family and friends.

A Celebration of Life, for Mia, will take place at Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, on Swann Ave, in Tampa at 10:00 am on 21 June 2025. A reception will be held immediately following the service at Blount & Curry Speakeasy, on MacDill Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, 3607 North Armenia Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33607.