Carolyn Jean Hardy

Carolyn Hardy’s Life

1946-2022

Carolyn Jean Tooley was born on February 22, 1946 to Clyde and Louise Tooley. She was the youngest of 3 children. Carolyn was 13 years younger than her sister Shirley, and Shirley felt like Carolyn was her baby. She was certain that Carolyn was going to be a girl, and was ecstatic when she was born. As a little girl, Carolyn loved to go the the airport with Shirley and her high school boyfriend to watch the planes land and take off. She loved sitting in the middle seat of the car between the couple. Her brother Bill was 9 years older than Carolyn and he said that she loved being close to their mama. She loved school and was a quiet girl except when she was terrorizing him! But, he always took it with love!

She attended Denver North High School and loved being a part of the youth group at Beth Eden Baptist Church. After High School, she went to college at Colorado State College (University of Northern Colorado). This is where she met the love of her life. Ron and Carolyn were both part of the college youth group at church and after meeting, they soon fell madly in love with each other. They married on July 14, 1968 and their love for each other grew stronger each year of their 54 years together. After the wedding, they moved to Chattanooga Tennessee. Carolyn taught elementary school in Georgia while Ron finished his degree. After Ron’s graduation, they joined HIBA and moved to New Jersey to begin their ministry among high school students.

Carolyn wanted to be a mom her entire life and while in New Jersey, God blessed them with their first baby, Karen Louise. Carolyn was a natural at motherhood and adored her baby girl. After 6 years in New Jersey, God called Ron and Carolyn to continue their ministry in Japan with Japanese and International high school students. Carolyn taught elementary school at Christian Academy in Japan. Soon after they arrived in Japan, their prayers were answered and they were blessed with another daughter, Rebekah Julie. Carolyn’s heart was full and their family was complete. Carolyn delighted in taking care of her family, and also loved opening up her home to countless high school kids, college students and young adults. The more people in the house, the happier she was. She was an amazing cook and everyone looked forward to meals around their table (not only for the excellent food but for the fellowship that came with it!). Carolyn loved sewing, quilting, hiking, traveling, biking, arranging flowers, and oh did she love swimming! Even after being diagnosed with ALS, Carolyn continued those activities. She even continued her ministry with an organization that used donated wedding dresses to make gowns for stillborn babies.

Carolyn had a love for children and was elated when her girls gave her grandchildren. She showered them with love and wisdom, and they loved spending time with her as much as she loved being with them. Her grandchildren described their Nana as sincere, trustworthy, imaginative, devoted, cheerful, kind and caring.

Standing at the gates of heaven to celebrate Carolyn’s arrival was her Heavenly Father, her parents, Louise and Clyde Tooley, brother-in-law Jerry Walker, nephew Brian Walker, mother and father-in-law, Olen and Mary June Hardy, sister-in-law Janice McKinley, brother-in-law Max Hardy and niece Darla Cogburn.

Looking forward to joining her in heaven for a family reunion are her loving husband Ron of Estes Park, daughters Karen and husband Mark of Farmington Hills Michigan, Rebekah and husband Jorge of Santee California, grandchildren Sage, Skyler and Nicole, Sierra, Jorge Jr., and Shin, Great granddaughter McKayla, brother Bill and Vera Shirley Walker, sisters-in-law, Barbara and Arden Cogburn, Brenda and Richard Hargrove, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Condolences have been sent from people all over the world that loved Carolyn. She had a positive impact on hundreds of people and was loved by many. She will be remembered for so many wonderful qualities, but the one that we will always be grateful for is her love for the Lord. She faithfully ministered alongside Ron for 54 years and on December 13, 2022, God said You have fought the good fight, you have finished the course, you have kept the faith. It is time to come home.

Carolyn loved to be at HiBA camp in Japan. She learned to cook Japanese food as she worked alongside Mr and Mrs Hanazato in the kitchen. She loved seeing her daughters having a great time at summer camp, spending time at the beach and getting to know the other Japanese staff kids. She also really loved being able to speak Japanese with our friends at camp. Because of this great love we are asking people, in lieu of flowers, to give a lasting financial gift to the “rebirth of the HiBA Camp in Japan.” Carolyn’s delight was seeing high school kids giving their lives to Jesus Christ. https://send.org/give/projects/japan-hiba-camp-rebirth Or by check to: SEND International, PO Box 513, Farmington, MI 48332. To leave a message to the family please visit www.allnuttestespark.com