Florence Reynolds Hardin

Florence Hardin, née Florence Matthews Reynolds, was born September 30, 1911, in Albany, Texas. She was the second of four children born to Andrew Watkins Reynolds and Bertie Mae Herron, offspring of pioneers who helped settle West Texas in the 1860s. Florence graduated from Baylor University in 1931, completing her studies by correspondence so she could help the family save expense during hard times. After working one year as a high school teacher in Throckmorton, Texas, she resigned, heading in 1932 to Dallas. Her first job was with United Charities, and this work informed and reinforced her innately compassionate and humanistic philosophy. She later became an executive assistant for Dallas Power and Light Company, where two employees were needed to replace her when she retired to marry John Hugh Hardin. They wed January 20, 1940 and moved to Mattoon, Illinois, where John had begun practicing law. In 1944, John and Florence moved to Springfield, Illinois, where John was a partner of Sorling, Catron and Hardin and Florence a busy mother, homemaker (and renowned cook and bread baker) and good citizen, involved with her four children, her church, the Sunnyside study club, duplicate bridge, civic activities and a host of friends. In 1976, she returned to the workforce, employed with The Illinois Times, where she served as bookkeeper, advertising account manager and office linchpin of the fledgling weekly?s publishers, editors and staff. After John?s death in 1978, Florence continued to live in Springfield, traveling widely and staying very active. In 1996, at 84 and wanting to be closer to one of her adult children, she moved to Santa Barbara, California. Settling in, she became an active member of First United Methodist Church. She made new friends, traveled and frequently hosted old friends and her family. She walked daily, cooked and baked, and began an exercise program with a professional trainer when she was "just" 100. A core delight was the Santa Barbara Bridge Club, where she was inducted as a Life Member upon celebrating her 100th birthday. Ever thrifty, she was delighted to see her bridge fees waived with this honor. In addition to her husband John, Florence was preceded in death by sisters Alice Reynolds and Susan Deats, by brother-in-law Otto Deats and sister-in-law Jean Reynolds; and by her daughter-in-law Deborah Davis. She is survived by her brother, Glenn Reynolds of Ft. Worth, Texas, by her children: Mary Reynolds Hardin of New York City; Melinda Garrett Hardin of Cooperstown, New York; Rebecca Matthews Hardin of Santa Barbara; and Timothy Stone Hardin, of Albany, Oregon. Survivors also include Melinda?s husband Louis Allstadt; grandchildren Max, John and Sally Allstadt; grandchildren Glendon Davis Hardin and Piper Debjani Hardin Davis; and her precious great-grand daughter Mia, child of John and Jillian Allstadt. Florence is also survived by nieces and nephews: Suzanne Deats, Sarah Deats, John Reynolds, Roy Reynolds, Larry Reynolds, Hyla Hardin Fetler, Peter Hardin, Sharon Hardin Clausen and David Hardin, and by great nieces and nephews: Aaron and John Bedford, Brian, Jennifer and Cate Reynolds, Rachel Fetler, Caleb and Luke Clausen and Sarah Hardin Imershein; and their children. The Hardin family wishes to acknowledge some of the family and friends who contributed so much to Florence?s independence and quality of life in her most senior years, particularly her daughter Rebecca; David Hardin, her long time bridge partner; Arturo Vega, her steadfast pal, escort and aide; Peter Lake, her faithfully attentive dinner partner; Karen Kledzik, her inspiring trainer; Char Palacios, who kept her company and her house for 17 years; Eric Zahm, her kind and careful hairdresser; Janette Cross, her tender massage therapist; and Twila, Scott, Aiden and Andrew Douglas, who helped with everything and brought her joy. The family thanks outstanding caregivers Carmen, Amparo and Zeita Flores; and Abundant Care's Timothy Pryko, Daniel Bond and their loving staff. Memorial celebrations in Santa Barbara and Albany, Texas are pending. Interment will be in Albany, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully accepts donations made to Santa Barbara Food Bank at www.foodbanksbc.org. In Florence's last years, as infirmities both physical and mental began to take their toll, she maintained a remarkably positive attitude, with her exceptional humor, courtesy, perseverance and dignity intact to the very end. Mrs. Hardin/Flossie Flo/Grandmommy/the GM had a great run and will be much missed by all who knew her, for to know her was to love her. While her departure leaves an empty chair at many tables, treasured memories keep her close to us all forever.

Florence Reynolds Hardin

September 30, 1911 - February 26, 2014