Evelyn Hardy

Evelyn Louise Moncur Hardy, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 5, 2015, and returned to the waiting arms of her eternal sweetheart, Douglas W. Hardy. She had waited patiently for 5 years to be reunited with him after 62 wonderful years of marriage. Evelyn was born in Brownsville, Texas, to Alphonso Moncur and LaPriel Cutler Moncur. She was the fourth of 10 children. Until she was 9 years old, the family lived in Texas during the winter, and then traveled each spring all the way to Lovell, Wyoming, to farm. The Moncur family finally settled full time at Little Valley Ranch, about 8 miles outside of Lovell. Evelyn was born into a very musical family, and her great talents were developed early as she played the old pump organ for the LDS ward meetings in Lovell when she was 12 years old. Music was one of her great loves, and she shared her wonderful talent for playing the piano and organ her whole life. Just four short weeks ago, she gave a concert of piano duets with a dear friend even though she was very weak and her health was failing. Evelyn earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music with an emphasis in keyboard from San Jose State College in 1976, and then received a Master's Degree in Music just three years later in 1979. Evelyn met Doug in 1947 while she was attending the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She was a young freshman, and he was an older, handsome, decorated World War II veteran returning to the U for post graduate work. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 5, 1948, and began a courtship that would take them through many years of joy, hard work, trials, and love, remaining ever faithful and true friends to the end. Doug and Evelyn moved to San Jose, CA, in the fall of 1948, and lived there for 51 years. They cherished the many wonderful friends they made in the Bay Area. While Doug taught sociology at San Jose State, Evelyn was busy with music - teaching many piano and organ students, performing endless concerts and piano duets, and accompanying a wide variety of soloists and choirs. Doug called her an "accompanist extraordinaire", surely referring to more than just music. Evelyn and Doug were blessed with 11 children, and Evelyn was truly the heart of the home - ever patient and kind. She loved her children immensely and family was a top priority for her. She taught all of her children to play the piano and many other instruments were eventually added. Mornings at the Hardy house were interesting and challenging, with 3 or 4 children practicing different instruments and pieces at the same time in the same large living area. Evelyn loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and faithfully fulfilled many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including every music position available. She served as the Relief Society President in the San Jose 1st Ward and also in the San Jose Stake. Those leadership positions gave her an opportunity to serve others, which she truly enjoyed. The Hardy home was always open for friends and family to stay or live there, even though Evelyn and Doug welcomed many children as the years went by. This great example, taught by loving parents, helped their children learn the true meaning of charity. Evelyn is survived by ten children: Susan (James) Brady, Tara (Lloyd) Anderton, Stan (Debra) Hardy, Robert (Mercedes) Hardy, Heather (Mont) Betteridge, Cheri (Robin) Hancock, Jack (Sara) Hardy, Jim (Assunta) Hardy, Rebecca (Todd) Berbert, and Bonnie (Dan) Morrison; 41 grandchildren, and 72 great-grandchildren. Evelyn is also survived by two sisters, June Waite and Marjorie Olson, two brothers, Kent Moncur and Wayne Moncur, a brother-in-law, Kenneth R. Hardy, and a sister-in-law, Ora Dee Hardy. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas, and an infant son, Dale James Hardy. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to mom's angel caregivers, Neli Castro and Lily Salazar, for their loving service throughout this past year. She loved them both very much! Funeral services will be held at the LDS Lakeview 7th Ward Chapel, 151 W. 1600 S., Orem, Utah, on Tuesday, November 10th at 11:00 a.m. Viewings will be held on Monday, November 9th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 S. State, Orem, and prior to the services on Tuesday, November 10th from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 N. 800 E., Orem, Utah.

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