Barbara Jean Carpenter Hardy's Obituary
Cherished mother and grandmother, Barbara Jean Carpenter Hardy of Ashburn, VA passed away on June 18, 2016 at the age of 73. Barbara was born in San Bernardino, California to Mildred Albertine Sechrest. She was mother to Bruce Robert Carpenter Hardy and Dorothy Anne Beene (Hardy), sister to Patricia Louise Failla (Sechrest) and Bruce Robert Sechrest, Sr (dec) and loving friend to so many.
Barbara was a military brat and dutifully followed her family from post to post, residing in both Germany and Iran. Barbara continued a life of service graduating from St. Luke’s School of Nursing to begin a career caring for others. Barbara married Col. Robert William Carpenter Jr. and continued her life in the company of the military until his retirement and relocation to Richardson, Tx. With the loss of Col. Carpenter, Barbara moved to University Park (Dallas), Tx and met “Tex” Hardy while heavily involved in the Episcopalian Church. Tex and Barbara married in 1975 and moved to Highland Park (Dallas), Tx. Where she and Tex would spend the majority of their lives together, until their departure to Menard, Tx to follow a shared dream of opening a Vineyard/Winery. Barbara remained in Menard until the passing of Tex and would eventually settle in Kerrville, Tx with her daughter and Ashburn, Va with her son.
Barbara enjoyed life to the full and spread that joy to all around her. Selflessly giving, she was never one to miss hosting a party or chairing a club or organizing an event. Barbara lived to serve. When not spending time helping others she would lend what precious time she had to the lives of her children and grandchildren. Family was everything to her and she would do anything for any of them. Birthdays were an event of unmatched spectacle only to be outdone by Holiday parties and family events.
Barbara is survived by her son Bruce Robert Carpenter Hardy, daughter Dorothy Anne Beene (Hardy), sister Patricia Failla (Sechrest), grandchildren Ryan Maddox Caprenter Hardy, Laura Elizabeth Beene and Phillip Murff Beene. Sarah Coleman (Hardy), Alyssa Hardy-Motley, Rebecca Robarge (Hardy), Moriah Hardy, Andrew Hardy, Margaret Hardy and great-grandchildren Donald Joseph Coleman, Harry Robarge, Isabella Motley, Nora Hardy, and Grace Hardy
A memorial service will be held on June 27th, 3 PM at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Ashburn, Virginia and reception at the home of Bruce and Stacie Hardy, 19664 Player Court, Ashburn, Virginia immediately following the service. Memorials can be made to The American Cancer Society and The Menard (TX) Public Library.
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