Mary Ann was the only child born to Waldo and Grace (Amick) Zane, and shortly after her arrival they moved to Santa Barbara, California. Mary Ann graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1947. She then attended UC Santa Barbara where she was a member of Delta Gamma Kappa Sorority and graduated with a degree in Home Economics and a teaching credential. It was at UCSB that she met the love of her life, Wilbur “Bill” Hardison, and they were married just days after their graduations in June 1951, followed by 57 happy years together.
Mary Ann and Bill moved to Riverside where they raised their three children, Robert, Karen, and Linda. Throughout the years Mary Ann was active in their family activities including the Methodist church, Girl Scouts, PTA, and PEO. In 1976 they moved to Santa Paula, California to be closer to Bill’s mother, and later moved to nearby Ventura. Mary Ann treasured the many friends she made wherever she lived, and stayed in touch through the years with many relatives, childhood friends and classmates.
Mary Ann and Bill enjoyed family gatherings throughout the years, which included many trips to the beach and mountains, holiday dinners, and their grandchildren’s events. She and Bill also enjoyed several memorable trips across the US until his passing in 2008. In 2017 she moved to southern Oregon to be near family. Being a part of her great-grandchildren’s lives as their ”GG” brought her much joy. In spite of her final illness, she lived every day with a song in her heart and a smile on her face.
Mary Ann is survived by her three children, Robert (Paula) Hardison, Karen (Mike) Mallory, and Linda (Jeff) Hardison. She is also survived by grandchildren Lee Hardison, Rachel (Phillip) Stawski, Austin (Michelle) Sendek, Courtney (Clayton) Hansen, and Shannon (Elijah) Todd, and seven great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be held in the courtyard of the Village at Valley View, 1071 W. Jackson Rd., Ashland, Oregon, the memory care facility where Mary Ann lived the past three years, on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or any charity supporting health or education.
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