1946 – 2017

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.

Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com