Elisabeth Hardin celebration of life

Elisabeth Hardin, born February 29, 1952 to Mary Goss Hardin and R. H. “Red” Hardin, died June 15, 2025 at her home in Gadsden. She and her sister, Mary Lee Hardin Willard, were reared by their single mother, Mary, along with the help of their grandparents, J. C. and Sarah Lee Goss, all of whom predeceased her. Elisabeth was also predeceased by her aunt, Reba Hardin. She is survived by cousins, including Steve Stewart of Birmingham, The Rev. Gary Hardin (Linda), Rebecca Wynn (Charles), and Teresa McCutcheon, all of Centre, her brother-in-law, Bill Willard, and Godchildren, Kyle Yocum and Ren Causey, all of Gadsden.

During Elisabeth’s childhood, the Hardin home was the center of activity in the neighborhood, as children were often invited to share the family swimming pool, tennis courts, and horses. Elisabeth had many friends from those childhood days that turned into close lifelong friendships.

She was educated at the Episcopal Day School, Gadsden High School, and Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned a degree in fine arts and art appreciation. A talented artist in her own right, Elisabeth continued to be a devoted supporter of the arts throughout her life.

After college, Elisabeth joined her mother and sister in the management of the family grocery business, which grew to include 16 Piggly Wiggly stores across northeast Alabama. The three Hardin women traveled extensively to both business conferences and pleasure trips throughout the world. They also enjoyed time together at their vacation home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Upon her retirement, Elisabeth purchased a pied-à-terre on Fifth Avenue in New York City with a view of Central Park. While in residence in the city, she was an avid museum and theatergoer and attended the U.S. Open tennis tournament each year.

During her battle with cancer, Elisabeth was guided by her friend and neighbor who served as her healthcare advisor, Dr. Steve Gross and his wife, Kathy. Elisabeth’s friends Janie Goodwin and Emily Emanuelsen generously put their years of nursing experience into caring for her and she also received expert medical care from Dr. George J. “Butch” Douthit, Dr. Matthew Hess, Dr. Gabrielle Rocque, Dr. Jeremy Smith, Dr. Mark Robson, and Dr. Kevin Lee. Her daily needs were lovingly seen to by her longtime housekeeper, Nydia del Carmen Rojas Morte, who will be continuing to nurture her beloved schnauzer, Cartier. Nydia’s granddaughters, Isamanda Rodriguez Jimenez and Helen DaLaila Rodriguez Jimenez, also assisted in attending to Elisabeth. Pat Smith, who was a caregiver to both Elisabeth’s mother and sister, also gave her loving care and attention.

A close circle of longtime friends stayed by Elisabeth’s side during her illness and assisted with medical visits to Birmingham and New York City, including Jeanette Sims, Beth Day, Alie Causey, Ann Cummans, and the Whitten family. Elisabeth also relied upon her dear friend, Michael Causey, for personal and business advice, as well as weekly discussions about articles in the Sunday New York Times.

Elisabeth served for many years on the board of directors of the arts organization that bears her mother’s name, the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, and she was also an active member of First United Methodist Church of Gadsden. She left generous gifts that will continue to provide support to both organizations for years to come.

A celebration of Elisabeth’s life will be held Sunday, August 10, from 4-6 p.m. at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts. A flower fund has been established with her longtime friend, Benny Campbell, at Attalla Florist. Memorial donations may also be made to the Columbarium Urn Fund at First United Methodist Church of Gadsden or to the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts.