Theo Elizabeth Openshaw-Hardisty

04/07/1926 - 11/03/2012

Theo Elizabeth
Openshaw-Hardisty
Theo Elizabeth Openshaw-Hardisty, age 86, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2012. Born April 7, 1926 to Lillian and Jonathan Way in Hudson, Michigan, she grew up in Colorado, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo. Theo was a long-time resident of the Santa Maria valley and raised 2 sons in Orcutt.
Theo graduated High School in Denver then trained and served in the Cadet Corps as a nurse at LAC-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles during and after WWII. After the war, she married her first husband, Jay P. Openshaw, and moved to Santa Maria. She became a nurse in obstetrics at the old Sister's Hospital and later at Marian Medical Center. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from CS Northridge and then a Teaching Credential and served as a school nurse for many years in the late 60's and 70's at both Santa Maria and Righetti High Schools. She later moved to Los Angeles and completed her career in school nursing at Barton Hill Elementary, retiring in the early 90's. After retiring, Theo moved back to Santa Maria where she lived for many years at the Sunnyhills MRP in Orcutt. Theo loved nursing and working with kids and in retirement volunteered to read to and tutor grammar school children in Santa Maria. In 2009, Theo moved to the Santa Maria Terrace where she met and married her second husband, Mark Hardisty on May 7, 2011 - she was an 85 year old newlywed! Theo's main hobby was listening to Dixieland Jazz. For many years she attended the Pismo Jazz sessions and numerous festivals throughout the state. She took riverboat trips on the Mississippi River and loved New Orleans. She loved dogs and the Pioneer Picnic. Most of all, Theo was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her mother Lillian M. Jespersen of San Luis Obispo and first husband Jay. She is survived by husband Mark Hardisty of Santa Maria; son Dale J. Openshaw and wife Kathy of Orcutt; son Neal F. Openshaw and wife Diane of Encinitas, CA; grandkids Donna Openshaw of Bella Vista, AR, Jennie Openshaw, Janet Brown and husband Chris, Jeffrey Openshaw, and Jayson Openshaw of Orcutt; grandsons Adam Openshaw and Ryan Openshaw of Encinitas; great grandkids Lillie, Jake, Grace, Alden, and Betty of Orcutt, and Alex of Bella Vista, AR; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins in Santa Maria and around the country.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service for Theo held 1:00 PM Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary. Donations on behalf of Theo may be made to House Research Institute (213) 353-7027 to help the hearing impaired.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Garden.

Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com