Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Judy Hardy


(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Julia T. “Judy” Hardy, 92, of Joplin, Missouri passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 17th, 2021, at the Communities of Wildwood Ranch after a recent decline in health.

Julia was born April 16, 1928, in Rawlins, Wyoming to Jose Cordova and Tonita (Espinosa) Cordova. She grew up in Torrington, Wyoming and graduated from Torrington High School. For several years she lived and worked in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before moving back to Rawlins.

While working in Rawlins for Wyoming Wholesale Company, Judy met George A. Hardy III and they were married on November 23, 1957. 







Soon after they relocated to Joplin, Missouri to be near George’s family and Judy’s sister Mary (Lonnie) Shipman. Many memorable camping and fishing trips were taken with their respective families. They also traveled often to visit George’s children – Joyce, Patricia, Gary, and Susan – all of whom she loved as her own.

In 1968 Julia and George had their only child together, Jon Hardy. When Jon started school, Judy went to work for Russell Belden Electric Company, from which she retired in 1992.

Judy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin. Throughout the years she served her church as a eucharistic minister, lector, provider of communion to shut-ins, and other volunteer roles. She was a devout Catholic all her life. Her faith was a guiding force in her family, work, and personal life.

When Judy and George were younger, they enjoyed square dancing, bowling, and took several trips abroad to Acapulco, Martinique, and Portugal. In retirement they visited California, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and one unforgettable family reunion to Flaming Gorge, Utah. George preceded her in death on June 1, 2004.

After George’s passing she remained active – having lunch regularly with the ladies from church, volunteering at Mercy Hospital, Crosslines of Joplin, keeping up her house and yard, and seeing many shows in Branson and Kansas City.

Judy is survived by Patricia Hardy (Jim Womack), of Simi Valley, California; Gary Hardy (Judy), of Goodyear, Arizona; Susan Angerhofer (Larry), of Mingus, Texas; and Jon Hardy of Joplin. She also leaves many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild as well many good friends that she loved like family. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, husband George, daughter Joyce Girardot, and brothers Joe, Lou, and Carlos; sisters Cathy Selig and Mary Shipman, and a sibling who died in infancy.

Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday January 22, at Thornhill Dillon Mortuary. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 23rd, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Joplin, with Fr. Joe Weidenbenner officiating. Interment of ashes will be on a later date. To honor the family, it is requested that all attendees wear masks and practice social distancing. Memorial gifts may be made to Crosslines of Joplin or The Joplin Humane Society, in care of the mortuary.

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