Gail M. “Gayle” (Donovan) Hardy, 69, wife of the late Osmond “Ozzie” Hardy who passed away April 10, died May 14 at Boston Medical Center with her loving family by her side.
Born in Wantagh, Long Island, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret (Lierow) Donovan. Raised and educated in Wantagh, N.Y., she was a graduate of General Douglas MacArthur High School’s class of 1967. After graduation, she enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged.
Hardy met the love of her life, Ozzie, while they both served in the Air Force, and celebrated 49 years of marriage this year. With her husband, she co-founded “Ozzie’s Kids” 30 years ago. Even though she was behind the scenes of the organization, she was a major force in the success of it. Hardy was a force to be reckoned with and she was known for her gentle, caring and forgiving soul. She was employed at the former Hale Hospital and Merrimack Valley Hospital as a licensed practical nurse. She also worked for Head Start at the Goldman Center, Silver Hill and Haverhill High School. She loved trips to Las Vegas and Foxwoods and enjoyed playing video games and attending Pentucket Players plays. Known for her love of ice cream and sweets, she could always be found cheering on her children and grandchildren at their sports events. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her family was most important to her. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Hardy is survived by her children, Robert D. Hardy and his wife Nichole, Thomas J. Hardy and his wife Kara and Khristina M. Hardy, all of Haverhill; her grandchildren, Makayla, Sarah, Tyler, Robert Jr., Damian, Thomas Jr., Logan and Owen; her brothers, Thomas Donovan Jr. and his wife Pamela of Owego, N.Y.; Robert Donovan and his wife Karen of Union, Ky.; her sisters, Karen Cerney of Centennial, Colo.; Wendy Donovan of Topsfield; Tara Mahoney and her husband John of Mesa, Ariz.; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Ray Flood of Stratford, Conn.; sister and brother-in-law Penny and Thomas Bourque of Marinette, Wisc.; sister-in-law Sharon Parker of Stratford, Conn.; mother-in-law Mary Parker of Haverhill; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, May 19 from 2-5 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Funeral services begin on Monday morning at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill at 10 a.m. Burial follows in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hilldale Avenue, Haverhill.