Rita Theresa Hardy

Rita Theresa Giles Hardy, 81, passed peacefully on Thursday, June 02, 2011, at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio care center. Rita was born on March 26, 1930 to William Giles and Anna Catherine Gensler Giles. She was a 1948 graduate of Notre Dame Academy and went on to attend Mercy school of Nursing. Rita married Donald Hardy on December 30, 1951 with whom she raised seven children. She retired from Owens Illinois, but her work did not stop there. For years, she volunteered with the American Legion Post 320 in Maumee, and with the VA Clinic. Every year for Veterans Day, Rita made sure that every Veteran at the clinic and the Legion Post received two of her famous homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies and a handmade card. She also was affiliated with the 8 & 40, Children and Youth Chairman for many years. The last eleven years of her life, she worked part-time at her youngest son Davids insurance agency in Delta. She said those were the best working years of her life. Rita was always surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by sister Phyllis Johnson, brothers Raymond Giles wife Elizabeth and Donald Giles wife Virginia; and was preceded in death by husband Donald R. Hardy, son Robert Hardy, brother Paul Giles and sister Anna Mae Wray. She left behind seven children: Donna Johnston husband Mike, Joseph wife Pam, Elizabeth Talcott, Jeffery, Richard wife Sue, David wife Tammy and Diane Mullee husband Bill. She loved and was loved by nineteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Fond memories of Ritas laughter and jokes will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. She was an angel on Earth and was deeply loved by everyone in her life. She will be greatly missed. Family and friends may visit Sunday, June 5, 2011 from 2-8 pm in the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee where members of the Maumee American Legion Post Auxiliary will lead a service at 7:00 pm followed by a Scripture Service at 7:30 pm. Funeral services will begin Monday, June 6, 2011 at 9:30 am in the funeral home followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am in St. Joseph Church Maumee. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Maumee. Family appreciates donations to Hospice of Northwest Ohio Perrysburg in memoriam of Donald and Rita Hardy. Online condolences may be made at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com