Rebecca Ambrose Hardy

Rebecca “Becky” Blyth Hardy – US Army Veteran of Alpharetta, Georgia, passed away on 2/15/2021 at the age of 63. She was born in Falls Church, Virginia the only daughter of the late Army Colonel (Retired) Rodney and Carolyn Blyth. Becky enjoyed dancing, windsurfing, and the outdoors, especially feeding or watching birds. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Hardy of Italy; their two children Freya and Chad, of Georgia, and her three married brothers – all West Point graduates –Dewey (’77), Jeffrey (’81), and Matthew (’84) Blyth and their families.

In life, she was a staunch advocate for the Georgia ALS Chapter and contributed to their efforts to find a cure. She partnered with others living with ALS to present solutions and offer comfort to those newer to the community. Becky helped draft legislation, HR Bill 8662, urging Congress to give ALS survivors access to any and all therapies, medical care, and needed medical support. Becky partnered with other ALS survivors and shared how “pineapple juice” and other “best practices” could help others like her. She was a true ALS champion for Georgia’s ALS Association.

Becky served in the US Army after being one of only 62 women to graduate in the first co-ed class at West Point’s United States Military Academy. She graduated with a BS in Engineering and did aerial stunts as a Football Cheerleading “Rabble Rouser” during her Cadet years. After Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, LT Blyth served in Germany’s 2d Armored Division as their repair parts manager, normally a Captain’s billet/role. After her US Army service she earned her MBA, learning “the optimum value for one’s money,” and assisted in fiscal management of the Hardy Consulting Firm. She treasured time on the beach while watching her son and daughter blossom into adults. She took them to European countries, teaching them to see the scenic beauty all around them. Moving to the US, she worked in supply chain with Clearwater Paper and was there when diagnosed with ALS in June 2016. As ALS progressively robbed her of her ability to perform the daily activities of living, she learned all she could to slow, fight and beat this disease. Although ALS caused complete paralysis to Becky’s body, she remained a tenacious supporter of the cure for ALS, donating her organs to this cause. She remained close to her ALS online partners, her West Point sisters in arms and all of her siblings and West Point Classmates right ‘til her last breath.

Becky’s family is conducting a Memorial Service (and “Dance Party”) on Sunday, 28 February 2021 at 1:20pm at American Legion Post 201 at 201 Mills Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009 with Army Military Funeral Honors tentatively scheduled. Her family intends to scatter her ashes in Florida at some future date. In lieu of flowers, Becky’s friends and family are invited to donate to the Georgia ALS Organization (ALSAGA.org) and/or West Point Women (westpointwomen.org).