1922 – 2015

FARMINGTON — Frances Hardy, 92, of Farmington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 15, at her home with family by her side.

She was born on Oct. 17, 1922, to Harold and Caroline Packard Marriner in Belmont. After graduating from Crosby High School in Belfast in 1939, she earned her teaching degree at Farmington Normal School in 1942. From 1957 to 19, she went on to receive her bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from University of Maine at Farmington.

Fran loved her years of teaching, starting with two years in Rangeley, and then 34 years at Mallett School in Farmington. After Fran retired from Mallett School in 1980, she taught practicums at University of Maine at Farmington for three years, as well as substituting at SAD 9 for many years. After full retirement, Fran served for six years on the SAD 9 board, one of them as chairperson. She served as selectman for the Town of Farmington for four years, three of them as the first woman chairperson. She served on several town committees. She was also the president of the University of Maine at Farmington alumni association and member of the alumni council for many years, receiving the University of Maine at Farmington distinguished alumni award in 1986; co-chaired the Farmington bicentennial celebration committee; a proud member of the Old South Congregational Church; a past president of Women’s Fellowship; member of the Franklin County Retired Teachers, serving as president and treasurer and also a member of the Farmington Historical Society. Fran received the Community Recognition Award in 1991 for her service in the Farmington community; in 2002 the Farmington Town report was dedicated to her, she also received the M.E.A. Education Volunteer Award in 1997 and Leadership Award for Franklin County in 2008.

The great joys of Fran’s life has been her family; her husband, Dalton, whom she married in 1946 and was married to for 52 years; her son, Tim Hardy and his wife, Vicki; her grandchildren, Tammy Cowans and her husband, Rob, and Tim D. Hardy and his wife, Bett; and her great-grandchildren, Dylan and Keira Cowans and Jackson and Ben Hardy.

Her memory was full of good family times, as well as the trips she and Dalton took, especially those in the camper. Fran also considered her friends to be one of her life’s greatest pleasures and supports.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dalton; and sister, Jean Eaton.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.