Mildred Hardman

Mrs. Mildred Hardman, age 88 of Thunder Bay passed away at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on February 25, 2010. Mildred was born September 23rd, 1921 to Adolph and Meadie (Jewel) Wagner, in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. Mildred served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Leading Air Woman, in North Bay, Ontario and Lachine, Quebec, from 1944 to 1946, then returned to Smooth Rock Falls where she was employed at Abitibi Paper Company. Mildred had a wonderful childhood, admittedly a tom boy, who's passion for sports included softball and tennis leading her to become Northwestern Ontario's Mixed doubles tennis champion in 1952. Mildred met Laurie Hardman, a young professional engineer newly employed at Abitibi, who was her softball coach. They married October 24th, 1953 in Laurie's hometown of Montreal, Quebec. They took up residence in Thorold, Ontario, until he was transferred to Thunder Bay. Besides raising her two children Mildred was an active volunteer who gave generously of her time, with Meals on Wheels, the Canadian Red Cross, St. John's Anglican Church and to the Port Arthur General Hospital Auxiliary. Mildred lead an active life with passions for tennis, skiing, and golf. They complimented each other so well, as my Dad said, "we were so evenly matched". Mom pursued bowling, bridge, and exercise classes of all descriptions and later in her life, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) fitness class that she found so helpful. She was nick named "OLYMPIC MOM" by her children Wendy and Doug, not only because of her love for sports but also her courageous battle against disease and disability. She counted herself to be so fortunate. Not many people in this world have had the opportunity to go to two Olympics in one year like Mildred did. In 1988 she and Laurie attended the Winter Olympics in Calgary, and in September of the same year won a trip to the summer Olympics games in Seoul South Korea. Their traveling adventures took them throughout North America, the British Isles, China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, the Holy Lands, Bermuda, Hawaii and the Canary Islands. Mildred loved her travels, and meeting people from around the world. Its essence gave her such an appreciation for Canada and she felt proud and lucky to be Canadian. One of her favourite spots was camp, on Lake Shebandowan, and any berry patch in North Western Ontario. Mildred will be sadly missed by her husband Laurie, daughter Wendy Brownlie and son-in-law Brian Brownlie (Brandon, Manitoba), son Doug Hardman and daughter-in-law Michelle Hardman (Dhahran Saudi Arabia), grandchildren Richard, Adam and Amberlee Brownlie and Alex and Matt Hardman (Calgary, Alberta) She is also survived by her dear sister Beatrice Anderson of Thunder Bay, brother Harry Wagner, Espanola, Ontario, Ken Wagner, Halifax, Nova Scotia and was predeceased by brother Ralph Wagner, Oshawa, Ontario, brother-in-law Ron Anderson, Thunder Bay , and sister-in-laws Ann Wagner, Espanola, and Myrtle Wagner, Halifax. Mildred was a woman of optimism and faith and inspired many in her gentle way to live a grateful life. "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. . . " (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Funeral services for Mrs. Hardman will be held at St. John's Anglican Church on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 11:00 AM followed by a reception for family and friends. A private interment will take place in Sunset Memorial Gardens. If friends so wish donations can be made to the Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, Lakehead University, or the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society. JENKENS FUNERAL HOME Cremation & Reception Centre 807-623-3433"