Patricia R. Hardy, 92

Patricia Rae Hardy peacefully passed away the morning of Sept. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash., just shy of her 93rd birthday. Pat lived her life with a keen eye for fashion, a tireless work ethic and a knack for making any occasion memorable and fun. 

Pat was born Oct. 2, 1931, in Burns, Oreg., to Miriam Elizabeth (nee McConnell) and George Raymond “Blondie” McGill. She grew up in Burns and Ontario, Ore., until losing her mother at age 11 and moved to Boise to live with her Grandma McGill, who she adored. Pat attended North Junior High and Boise High School, where she graduated in the Class of 1949. After high school, she attended the University of Idaho, where she found many enduring friendships in the Delta Gamma Sorority. On one snowy drive from Moscow, she slid off the road and met Carroll Hardy, who stopped to help. They married in 1952 and had six children while living in Boise, Denver and St. Louis. They divorced in 1968 and Pat moved back to Boise with the children.

Pat began a 40-year career as a real estate agent and broker while raising six kids as a single mom. She was one of three founding partners in Better Homes Realty along with her life-long best friend Virginia Cafferty. She moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to be closer to her daughters for the last 30 years, continuing her real estate career with John Beutler & Associates.

Pat enjoyed card games, especially the game of bridge, and she never had a shopping trip she didn’t love. Looking her best wasn’t an option; it was a way of life. Her proudest accomplishment was raising six children on her own, a testament to her strength, determination, and endless love. She nurtured a warm, close-knit family, and nothing brought her more happiness than being all together, especially on Christmas Eve, which she loved to host with all the trimmings, plenty of eggnog, and gifts for everyone. Pat’s happy place was Torres Mazatlán in Mexico, where many memories with her family were made while establishing a frequent go-to for the family to this day.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her half-brother, Mike McGill. She is survived by her six children, who loved her dearly: Phil (Christy) Hardy of St. Louis, Mo.; Rick (Joan) Hardy of Boise, Idaho; Curt (Laura) Hardy of Boise, Idaho; Alisa (Steve) Hill of Spokane, Wash.; Ann (Tom) Siebert of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Drew (Oksana) Hardy of Irvine, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind eleven grandchildren she cherished: Jordyn, Matt, Jason, Gunnar, Kazys, Ryker, James, Holly, Scott, Eric and Yaroslav and seven great-grandchildren: Reid, Lukas, Adalyn, Luke, Everly, Olivia and Nora.

Thanks to our sisters, Alisa and Ann, and their families for the care and comfort they provided Mom last year. Rest easy, Mom. We love you and would not have changed a single thing — you gave us your all!

A funeral mass will be held Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, followed by a brief graveside service at 1 p.m. at Dry Creek Cemetery.