Joyce Hagen Hardin

Joyce Hagen Hardin, of Mint Hill, NC, passed away on March 11th, 2023, at her residence in the presence of her loving husband, Ed Hardin. The daughter of Leonard and Marie Hagen, Joyce was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 2nd, 1938. Joyce and Ed were married in April 1958 and welcomed six children: 4 sons and 2 daughters. Shortly after their marriage, Joyce and Ed began a series of family moves that took them from Ohio to Pennsylvania, California, Louisiana, Jamaica, and North Carolina. They have lived in Charlotte for the past 50 years.

Joyce lived a wonderful life of adventure of various kinds: raising children, enjoying grandchildren, travels with Ed, travels with children, travels with grandchildren, volunteering in the surgical recovery room for Presbyterian Hospital, and as a Respite Care volunteer for Hospice. She was active in her church, St Gabriel’s Catholic Church, for 40+ years in the Women’s Group and Round Robin Bridge groups, among others. Joyce was the Assistant Director for Friendship Trays for several years. Joyce often said her volunteer work in hospitals and Hospice was very rewarding for her.

She loved rainy days, black clothes with colorful accessories, art work with faces, medical shows, tennis (she played for 30+ years), football (she loved to watch the Carolina Panthers), gardening, quilting (she made gorgeous art-quality quilts for her grandchildren), attending grandchildrens’ events (preschool activities, sporting events, recitals and graduations), playing bridge, reading, plays, symphonies, opera, art shows, and museums. She was happiest whenever a grandchild was around or when traveling the world with Ed. Whether in the United States, Europe, Mexico, Canada or South America or Asia, Joyce enjoyed the different cultures and brought home beautiful remembrances from every trip. Joyce and Ed took each grandchild on a trip to share their love of travel, adventure, and to creating lasting memories. Joyce was an amazing host for countless events for family and friends and passed along traditions that will be carried forward for generations to come.

She enjoyed a life of beauty and grace alongside her loving husband of 64 years, Ed.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; her sister and her husband, Janice Faircloth (Doug); and her brother-in-law, Robert Akos.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 64 years, James "Ed" Hardin; her children, Mark Hardin, Jeffrey Hardin, Christopher Hardin (Kim), Jennifer Mattox (Jack), Julie Hardin, and Jonathan Hardin (Maia); her grandchildren, Cory Hardin, Ryan Hardin, YaoYao Hardin, Hagen Hardin, Meghan Hardin Burns, Timothy Hardin, Philip Mattox, Kate Mattox, Blakely Hardin, Drew Hardin, and Bradyn Hardin; her sister, JoAnn Sandro (Paul); her sister-in-law, Anna Akos; her 5 great-grandchildren; and many other loving extended family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, Post Office Box 470408, Charlotte, North Carolina 28247.