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Celebrating the life of
Margaret Ogden Hardy
July 12, 1947 - May 09, 2022
Margaret Ogden Hardy of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on May 9, 2022, at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer.
Margaret was born on July 12, 1947, in Wilmington, Delaware to John Van Etten Hardy and Margaret Stubblefield Hardy. Margaret attended elementary schools in Delaware, Texas, West Virginia, and Japan, as her father traveled with his work for DuPont in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Margaret graduated from A.I. DuPont High School in 1967 and went on to graduate from Stetson University in Deland, Florida in 1971 with a BA degree in Music. She then received her Master of Education in Counselor Education in 1972 and a degree as an Education Specialist in 1973, both from Georgia Southern University.
Margaret worked as an Elementary School Guidance Counselor for the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools until her retirement. She prided herself in the schools she worked for, including Anderson, May Howard, Butler, Hesse and Garrison Elementary.
After retirement from the Savannah Public Schools, she began to work for schools within the Catholic Diocese of Savannah in St. Michael’s on Tybee Island and at St. Peter’s on Wilmington Island.
Father Patrick O’Brien remembered Margaret as being kind, compassionate and understanding of her students.
In addition to Margaret’s long career, she devoted herself to her beloved churches and their missions.
Margaret was an active member of First Baptist Church since 1982. She served as a Diaconate of the church and was an Endowment Trustee. Her love and talent of singing and music were greatly appreciated at church. She served as Chair of the Music Committee and as a member of the Adult Choir and in the Handbell Choir, as well, she was a member of the Stewardship Development Committee, the Missions and Social Ministries Committee, the Altar Guild, the Denominational Relations Committee, the Classics, and the Peggy Murphy Sunday School Class. She helped with the music for Vacation Bible school, and she had a large interest in helping to maintain the church’s historic building and the organ at the church.
Margaret was also passionate about First Baptist missions to Cuba. She participated in over 20 missionary trips to Cuba before her health prohibited her from traveling.
Margaret also spent many years actively involved and dedicated to St. John’s Church of Savannah. She traveled to England with the church choir of St. John’s.
She sang as a member of the choir as well as sang as a soloist. She often sang Evensong and truly always “sang for the Glory of God.”
She volunteered at the Green-Meldrim House, giving tours, and enjoying the wonderful history of the building.
Margaret was always philanthropic and happy to help any friend or organization in need. One of her proudest accomplishments philanthropically was when she secured that the organ pipes from the historic Bruton Parish Church of Williamsburg, VA were to be sent to St. John’s for use in the future.
In addition to singing in her church choirs, Margaret also sang with the Savannah Symphony Chorale for several years. She was truly a gifted and talented vocal musician with a beautiful voice.
Margaret also experienced much joy from her vast travels around the world. As a child, her family moved to Japan in 1960 where she spent 2 years in school there and traveling through Japan with her family. This experience shaped Margaret’s love for the Far East and her love of travel. Her family trip to Japan concluded with a trip around the world to Hong Kong, India, The Middle East, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Hawaii, and finally home to Delaware. She traveled to the Taj Mahal, the original King Tut exhibit, and a trip down the Nile. During this time, she developed a passion for photography and captured many memories in her beautiful photos.
As an adult, Margaret traveled back to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma) and to much of the world where women often did not travel. She went to Russia at the height of the Cold War. She loved learning the history and shopping during all her travels.
Margaret was also particularly proud of Savannah’s participation in the Centennial Olympics in 1996. She volunteered in the Yachting events throughout the summer of 1996 in Savannah. She was also very proud of her cars and had a keen interest in her cherished automobiles.
Margaret had a love of animals, especially her beloved cat, Kumo, and many others that followed. Margaret is survived by the many special friends who were dedicated to her as her health declined.
She is also survived by her brothers, William H. Hardy III (Judith) of Colorado and John V.E. Hardy, Jr. (Elizabeth) of West Virginia and Utah, as well as her 3 nephews, John Hardy III, McEwen Hardy, and Dr. William H. Hardy IV. She is predeceased in death by her sister, Frances Hardy, her mother, Margaret S. Hardy and her father, John V.E. Hardy who recently passed away in 2021 at the age of 105.
A Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, June 15th at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Church.
Donations can be made to her beloved churches in Margaret’s memory, First Baptist Church of Savannah, and St. John’s Church of Savannah.
Margaret was a wonderful person and great friend who will be truly missed!
- Fran Arnsdorff, Savannah, GA
I've known Ms. Hardy for many years, first as a customer but also as a dear friend. She was a remarkable lady, always with a positive outlook. She was an inspiration and I will miss her. Rest in peace Margaret.
- Al Deutsch, Savannah, GA
Margaret, enjoyed working at the Green -Meldrim House and helped us as a greeter when visitors came to tour the house. She also enjoyed canning with us at St. John's. She would greet people with a smile.
- Jane Pressly, Savannah, GA
I am so very sorry for your loss. I got to know Margaret when she was a counselor at St. Peter's school on Wilmington Island. Her office was near my bookkeeping office. Sometimes if she was going to her house on Tybee after work, she'd bring her beloved Kumo with her and Kumo would stay in my office until she was ready to leave for the day. She was always excited about the mission trips and was proud of the clothes she made to wear in Cuba. Who knew that in addition to her many other talents, she could sew! Please know that all of you are in my prayers as you grieve for her.
- Cecilia Morett, Savannah, GA
I first met Margaret at Sprague Elementary School when she took over the job of school counselor from Mary Campbell, whose caring compassion for children I did not think could be replaced. Margaret did it with ease. Her caring determination and innovative spirit were evident from the start. It was Margaret who raised funds to put inexpensive computers (Vick 20's and Commodore 64's) on rolling carts to move form classroom to classroom in order to give children their first experience with a new technology. Yes teachers, it was Margaret who first developed the COW (computer on wheels) system in Savannah! Margaret's giving, can-do, never give up on the good in people attitude will not be forgotten by those who were gifted to know her.
- Joe Hinely, Savannah, GA
I worked with Margaret at Garrison Elementary and was saddened to hear of her passing. I enjoyed listening to the stories of her travels and shared her love of cats. (That Kumo!) May she Rest In Peace.
- Leah (Colby) Miller, Savannah, GA
I have known “Peg” Hardy since 1967 when she arrived on the campus of Stetson University to start her freshman year. We were members of the Stetson Concert Choir together (until I graduated in 1969). We remained friends for decades after. My wife and had lunch with her during the time we were serving as missionaries. She supported some of our ministry travel. She had a big heart and love for all. We will miss her. Rest In Peace, Peg.
- Robert and Connie Taylor, Ocala , Florida
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Celebration of Life
- 2:00 p.m. on Wed, June 15, 2022
- St. John's Church
-
325 Bull Street (map)
Savannah Georgia 31401
