Obituary for Jacqualyn O. "Jackie" (Nash) Hardin
To view all the beautiful photos uploaded by family and friends, please select the "Photos & Videos" tab. Thank you.
Mrs. Jacqualyn O. Hardin
Jacqualyn O. Hardin (Jackie), of Ayer (formally Acton & Arlington) MA died January 18, 2020 from complications of Alzheimer’s at Benchmark Leominster Crossings. She was 88.
Jacqualyn was born September 9, 1931 in Medford, MA to the late Otis Nash and Olive Leslie.
Jacqualyn graduated from Arlington High School in 1949 and attended Simons Nursing School in 1950. She went on to earn her BS from Leslie College in 1991 at the age of 60. She worked in palliative care social work until she retired.
In 2019, she celebrated 69 years of marriage with her high school sweetheart, Howard Hardin. Along with raising her 7 children and a foster child, Sam Padilla, Jackie partnered with Howie in his businesses and as a Deacon's wife.
Jackie’s leadership skills and desire to serve developed early. She was a fierce advocate, pioneering services for students with Learning disabilities and created and became President of the MA Association for parents of children with Learning Disabilities. She created and lead a local chapter of Compassionate Friends, a support group for parents of deceased children, taught Religious Ed at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Acton, MA, led Girl Scouts, helped with Loaves and Fishes, a meal service for those in need. She had a passion for and served for 7 years as a volunteer hospice counselor assisting people in their last stages of life. Jackie had a firm faith and shared that with others through the Cursillo program, serving on and leading many teams.
Jacqualyn was a gentle and quiet soul. She felt intensely and cared deeply for others. She leaves 3 daughters, Joanne Hardin, Julie Thomas, her husband Jeffrey, Jennifer Leary, her husband Nicholas and 3 sons, Paul Hardin, his partner David Cao, Kevin Hardin, his wife Lisa Carson, and Dale Hardin. She was predeceased by her husband Howard in 2019 and son Peter Hardin in 1980.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Bree Schpero, Dana Hardin, Brianna McInnes, Jeffrey and Sarah Thomas, Oliver and Simon Leary along with great grandson Lincoln Schpero, a sister, Vivian Elgort along with many nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank Benchmark of Leominster’s staff, especially the Harbor team who enriched Jackie’s last years, as well as Notre Dame Hospice of Worcester for her care and comfort in her last days.
A wake and funeral Mass, officiated by Rev. Peter Quinn, will be held at St. Catherine of Alexandria on Friday 24, 2020, 107 North Main St., Westford, MA 01886. www.stcatherineparish.org Wake: 9:00 – 9:45 A.M.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 A.M. A life celebration reception will follow immediately after. A private family burial will follow at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jacqualyn Hardin’s name and mailed to: National Processing Center, Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
Arrangements have been entrusted with deep respect to Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA 01720 www.actonfuneralhome.com
Mrs. Jacqualyn O. Hardin
Jacqualyn O. Hardin (Jackie), of Ayer (formally Acton & Arlington) MA died January 18, 2020 from complications of Alzheimer’s at Benchmark Leominster Crossings. She was 88.
Jacqualyn was born September 9, 1931 in Medford, MA to the late Otis Nash and Olive Leslie.
Jacqualyn graduated from Arlington High School in 1949 and attended Simons Nursing School in 1950. She went on to earn her BS from Leslie College in 1991 at the age of 60. She worked in palliative care social work until she retired.
In 2019, she celebrated 69 years of marriage with her high school sweetheart, Howard Hardin. Along with raising her 7 children and a foster child, Sam Padilla, Jackie partnered with Howie in his businesses and as a Deacon's wife.
Jackie’s leadership skills and desire to serve developed early. She was a fierce advocate, pioneering services for students with Learning disabilities and created and became President of the MA Association for parents of children with Learning Disabilities. She created and lead a local chapter of Compassionate Friends, a support group for parents of deceased children, taught Religious Ed at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Acton, MA, led Girl Scouts, helped with Loaves and Fishes, a meal service for those in need. She had a passion for and served for 7 years as a volunteer hospice counselor assisting people in their last stages of life. Jackie had a firm faith and shared that with others through the Cursillo program, serving on and leading many teams.
Jacqualyn was a gentle and quiet soul. She felt intensely and cared deeply for others. She leaves 3 daughters, Joanne Hardin, Julie Thomas, her husband Jeffrey, Jennifer Leary, her husband Nicholas and 3 sons, Paul Hardin, his partner David Cao, Kevin Hardin, his wife Lisa Carson, and Dale Hardin. She was predeceased by her husband Howard in 2019 and son Peter Hardin in 1980.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Bree Schpero, Dana Hardin, Brianna McInnes, Jeffrey and Sarah Thomas, Oliver and Simon Leary along with great grandson Lincoln Schpero, a sister, Vivian Elgort along with many nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank Benchmark of Leominster’s staff, especially the Harbor team who enriched Jackie’s last years, as well as Notre Dame Hospice of Worcester for her care and comfort in her last days.
A wake and funeral Mass, officiated by Rev. Peter Quinn, will be held at St. Catherine of Alexandria on Friday 24, 2020, 107 North Main St., Westford, MA 01886. www.stcatherineparish.org Wake: 9:00 – 9:45 A.M.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 A.M. A life celebration reception will follow immediately after. A private family burial will follow at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jacqualyn Hardin’s name and mailed to: National Processing Center, Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
Arrangements have been entrusted with deep respect to Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA 01720 www.actonfuneralhome.com