Loretta Hardy

Loretta A. "Laurette" Hardy, 88, of Battle Creek collapsed at St. Jerome Catholic Church Sunday, January 13, 2013 and was pronounced at Bronson Battle Creek.
She was born January 5, 1925 in Willimansett, Massachusetts to Jean Baptiste and Agnes (Coupal) Boisselle. Loretta grew up in Willimansett, MA. While working there in the PX at Westover Air Force Base she met George H. Hardy. Loretta and George were married in Willimansett on January 20, 1945. She was preceded in death by George, her husband of 66 years on August 7, 2011. Surviving are six children, Donna Cica and William Henry "Bill" Hardy both of Phoenix, AZ, Marsha Grasselli of Allen, TX, Mary "Betty" (Jim) Dillard, Marjorie "Margie" Lanko and Marilyn Delaney all of Battle Creek; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Yvette Lafleur of West Brookfield, MA and Marie-Anne Sawyer of Agawam, MA. Loretta was also preceded in death by a grandson, Robert G. Delaney; sisters, infant Cecill Boisselle, Emilia Sawka, Maisla Dionne and Flore Wroe; and five brothers, Arcade, Ephrem, Joseph, Gerard and Roland Boisselle.
Loretta stayed at home, was a dedicated mother, and raised her family. She was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church and a member of the C.C.W and W.S.O. She was an avid Bingo player, a talented seamstress, did bushels of knitting (noted around town for her infamous Christmas stockings) and was always available to help family and friends.
At the request of the family, friends may call after 5:00 p.m. Friday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, where they will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. and where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Friday.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Philip Catholic Church 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2013. Committal and interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Loretta may be made to:
St. Philip Parish, 112 Capital Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017
or the American Cancer Society, 1400 West Milham, Portage, MI 49024.