Margaret M Hardin

A life-long resident of Western Colorado, she was born May 1, 1922 in Norwood, Colo., to George and Laura Darling and spent her early years in the Norwood and Paonia areas and graduated from Paonia High School in 1940.

She married William Hershel Hardin on August 13, 1943 in Price, Utah and they began making their home in Grand Junction where they had six children. Two sons, William Richard and Larry Brian Hardin preceded her in death. Surviving children are Shelly (Gary) Bennett, of Montrose, and John Hardin, Debra Crawford and Travis (Karen) Hardin, all of Grand Junction.

In addition to other employment earlier in her life, Margaret retired from a career at the State Home and Training School where she served in various capacities. While there she was active and held offices in the employees’ union.

Margaret lived her life as the champion of the underdog and was called “mom” or “grandma” by countless young people who came into her life in various ways. Her friends and family characterize her as always providing unconditional love to those close to her, and her home was a haven for many who found themselves at loose ends in their personal lives. With Margaret, they always found a warm meal and a listening ear.

Those same people also found in Margaret an example to follow. In addition to having a relatively hard life as a child and young woman, she finished raising her children as a single mother following the death of her husband in 1971 and suffering other hardships, including the loss of two homes to fire. She never accepted charity or welfare, and instead developed a career that was centered upon helping those less fortunate than herself.

In addition to her living children, other survivors include grandchildren Kari (Dennis) Harvey, William (Dorothy) Hardin, Brian Bennett, Matthew (Heather) Bennett, Dustin Hardin, Christina Hardin, Treavor Hardin, Jessica (Troy) Branson and Sarah Crawford. Great grandchildren are Kailyn Bennett, Kimberlyn Bennett, Tanner Bennett, Makayla Hardin, Raeley Branson, Jacob Harvey, Zach Harvey, Luke Harvey, Vivienne Bennett, Halley Hardin, Hannah Hardin, Hope Hardin, Riley Hardin and Harmony Hardin.

From a family of five children, she was preceded in death by all four siblings, brothers Henry, Richard and Robert Darling and a sister, Jane Darling Clark.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, February 4, at Martin Mortuary with a visitation time from 1-2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Roice-Hurst Humane Society, 3320 D ½ Road, Clifton, CO 81520, (970) 434-7337.