Communication lecturer Jane Hardy dies at 85

Jane Hardy
Hardy

Jane Hardy ’53, who taught in the Department of Communication for many years, died May 21 at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca after a brief illness. She was 85.

Hardy was born in Fenelon Falls, Ontario, Canada, March 27, 1930, and received a degree in floriculture from Cornell in 1953. After returning to Canada to work as the gardening editor and a writer at Canadian Homes magazine, she returned to Cornell in 1962. She taught writing and editing courses at Cornell and retired as a senior lecturer in 1996.

She was a Cornell Plantations sponsor and served on the Plantations advisory board. She was a member of the Cornell Association of Class Officers and in 2011 received the William Vanneman Outstanding Class Leader Award for her service. She was a committed Cornell hockey fan.

“As a senior lecturer in communication, Jane combined her love of nature, Cornell and writing in her courses on science writing and editing,” said Katherine McComas, professor of communication. “Those who worked with her or were fortunate enough to take her courses benefited from her thoughtfulness and dedication.”

Hardy is survived by two sons, two grandsons and a brother. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 309 Highland Road, Ithaca. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be sent to Cornell Plantations, 1 Plantations Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

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