Mona died peacefully at home on July 2, after a brief battle with pancreatic

cancer.

Mona was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on June 6, 1946, the only child of

Ysidro (Bob) and Jean Peyton Mazon. She attended Christian County High School,

received a master's degree in education from George Peabody College in Nashville,

Tennessee, and was recruited in 1969 to teach in Southern California.

Mona met Dick in Los Angeles in 1979 and they married in 1984. They retired to

Vashon and their first home in Glen Acres in 1991, knowing no one on the island. They

later agreed it was the best decision they had ever made. In 2003 they moved "all the

way beyond Dockton" to Piner Point.

Mona was sure about two things when she was growing up: she didn't want any

children and she wanted to teach. It was obvious to anyone who knew her that she

loved kids—she just wanted to give them back. Her genius at teaching emerged first in

junior and senior high school classrooms and later, even more effectively, as a Weight

Watchers leader, first in Southern California and later on Vashon, in West Seattle and in

Tacoma. Mona had the gift of inspiration, but never realized what magic she was

creating for her listeners!

Mona loved to travel: starting in the late '70s, she and Dick began traveling the

world. She would happily go anywhere, anytime. She loved golf (although it always

frustrated her) and fought hard for every nickel at Thursday Mah Jongg at the golf club.

She was an avid Zumba dancer and when not able to do that would walk up and down

Dockton Hill. She was an officer of the Island chapters of Arboretum, Ryther, and the

Women's Club at VIGSC. She was also an avid reader and book club member. Mona

volunteered for many projects: she was a strong supporter and early volunteer at the

DOVE domestic violence project, wrote members' biographies for the Senior Center

newsletter, and worked hard on many other worthy causes. She had a wide circle of

friends and admirers, centering on the "ladies' lunch bunch" and spreading far

throughout the island and beyond.

Mona is survived by her husband Richard D. (Dick) Hardy, stepdaughters Janet

W. Hardy (Edward Goehring) and Andrea Hardy Ihara (Beth Gordon), grandchildren

Miles Taber, Ben Taber, Jacob Ihara and Naomi Ihara Elliott, and her much-adored

great-grand-twins Hudson and Lyla Elliott and Jensen and Marin Elliott.

Even though it would have embarrassed her, there will be a Celebration of

Mona's life from 1 to 3 on Sunday, August 27 at Vashon Golf and Swim Club.