Obituary of Diana Hardy

Diana Madeleine Hardy passed away peacefully in her Carmel Valley home on March 4, 2017. Diana was born in Arlington Massachusetts on August 14, 1933 to her late parents Sherman and Vera Hardy. Diana and her family spent her early years in the Boston area and then went to Houston Texas before heading to California where she finished her education at USC. Diana and her parents settled in Carmel Valley and there she started her teaching career. Diana taught at Santa Catalina and then at Carmel High schools, specializing in American Literature. During Diana’s Carmel High career she was most notably known as “the drama teacher.” For many years she ensured the school put on at least two productions a year, with the annual high school musical becoming a recognized event on the community’s social calendar. Diana’s most favorite plays to put on were either a Tennessee Williams and an English farce. Her students adored her, and to many she was not only a teacher, but a mentor and trusted friend. At a time when embracing diversity was not a common mission statement for schools, Diana was ahead of her time – giving students who didn’t otherwise fit into the mainstream an opportunity to express themselves. Many of Diana’s students continued to pursue a career in the Arts after high school, much to her encouragement and support. She was also a much loved member of the thespian community across the peninsula. Since she was a young girl Diana had a love of books, theatre, movies and painting much like her father. Diana was an outgoing young woman, as she struck up a pen pal relationship with Elizabeth Taylor. Later, she became fascinated with Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier and had the opportunity to meet them both backstage after one of their performances. Per her request, there will be no services, in lieu of flowers memorial donations should be made in her honor to the charity of your choice. Service Information