Obituary of Mary Jane Hardy

Mary Jane (Garcia) Hardy, 77, joined her Heavenly Father on Friday, June 7, 2019 after a long and valiant battle with breast cancer. Mary Jane was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, a city she loved and where she raised her family. She was a proud product of a Catholic education from elementary through college, receiving both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from the University of Incarnate Word.

In 1961 she met her lifelong love, Kenneth A. Hardy, and they were married on July 26, 1964 in San Antonio. Together they built a wonderful life centered on their family, faith and community. Mary Jane was a devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister. While raising her three children, she also lovingly cared for her parents and her sister through their illnesses. As an educator, she specialized in training teachers, teaching reading and taught classes at all levels, from elementary school to college.

One of Mary Jane’s proudest professional accomplishments was writing her book, “Spiritual Treasures of Downtown San Antonio,” when she turned 70. The book was an historical exploration of San Antonio’s founding churches. Throughout her life, her commitment to furthering her faith remained a core value. She was an active and committed member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Antonio for more than 47 years. After the death of her beloved husband in 2008, she moved to McKinney, Texas and found a new spiritual home at St. Jude’s Catholic Church and loved the church.

A woman of many interests, Mary Jane found joy in so many things including traveling, sewing, Campfire Girls, dance, gardening, her pets, arts and crafts, doing charitable work and spending time with friends and family. She especially delighted in spending time with her children and grandchildren, and they adored her.

Mary Jane was a people person in the deepest sense. Her radiant smile and outgoing personality helped her make friends nearly every place she went. She will be deeply and dearly missed. She leaves behind three children, Dianne (Corri Planck), Kristy (Gary Voelkel) and Kenneth Jr. (Jur Van Hoorn); four grandchildren, Emily Jane, Mark, Raquel and Kristina; sister, Joanne Bator; nephew David Mascorro; and numerous cousins. In addition to her husband, Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin M. Garcia and Sofia Martinez Garcia and her sister, Carmen F. Barnes.

On June 15, a Rosary will be recited in her honor at 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville Ave, Allen, Texas 75002. Reverend Andrew Semler and Deacon Ron Fejeran will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation to further research to end breast cancer at www.drsusanloveresearch.org.