Helen I. (Broadbent) Hardy

Helen I. (Broadbent) Hardy, 95, died on April 16, 2013 surrounded by her loving family at her home at RiverMead in Peterborough. She was born in Attleboro, MA, on January 13, 1918. Her parents were Ernest and Cynthia Broadbent. She attended Attleboro public schools and graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, in 1940 where she majored in mathematics and philosophy. She married Rev. Richard B. Hardy in 1943, and was a very active minister’s wife in the six churches they served together from 1942 to 1984 when they retired to Harrisville. She was known and loved for her spiritual strength and leadership in the women’s fellowship of each church. In retirement she accompanied her husband for three years in the visitation of retired Baptist pastors in all of New England. At RiverMead, she had been an active participant in the social and wellness programs and a loving friend of many people. Mrs. Hardy was the loving mother of four children, seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. She loved cooking and baking, knitting and chair caning. Her family and her support of her husbands work were her passion. She passed on her belief that education was of highest importance to all her children and grandchildren. In her busy life as a mother and minister’s wife, she always found time to knit right to the end of her life when she finished her last knitting project the evening before she became ill. She worked part-time for several years as a secretary and substitute teacher. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 70 years; her children, Paul M. Hardy, M.D. and his wife Ellie Hardy of Dublin; daughter Betsy Perry and husband Russ White of Harrisville; daughter Priscilla Hardy of Harrisville; daughter Ruth Jacobson-Hardy and husband Michael Jacobson-Hardy of Florence, MA; 7 grandchildren Matthew Perry and partner Betsey Finn of Sausalito, CA; Seth M. Hardy, M.D. and his wife Shelby Hardy of Hallowell, ME; Sarah Hurley and her husband Brian of Hingham, MA; Rebecca Perry-Hill and her husband Skyler Hill of West Lafayette, IN; Hannah Jacobson-Hardy of Savoy, MA; and Leah Jacobson-Hardy of Florence, MA; 5 great grandchildren Sawyer, Libby and Rosemary Hurley; Emerson and Oscar Hardy; nephew David A. Hardy and his wife Bobbie Fried and daughter Aimee Fried-Hardy of South Easton, MA; and second cousins Heather Harrington Bento and her husband Jim of Swansea, MA; Marcia Harrington of Daytona Beach, Florida; and Susan Weigel of Knoxville, Tennessee. Her sister, Miriam Johnson, her grandson, P. Nathaniel Hardy, and her nephew Rev. Ronald Hardy died earlier.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community of Angels Fund through the Nelson Congregational Church or the Harrisville Community Fund through the Harrisville Community Church or the Missions Fund of the First Baptist Church of Keene NH.

Friends and family are invited to call on Saturday, April 20, 2013, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street, (Rte. 202) Jaffrey, NH.

A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, April 21, 2013, at the Nelson Congregational Church, 830 Nelson Road, Nelson, NH at 2:00 PM.