WHITE STONE—Elizabeth Astrid Soule Anderson Hardy died at home in White Stone on Tuesday afternoon, March 4, 2025.
Betsy, Aunt Betsy, Gram and Grammy as she was known to family, friends and loved ones, was 88. She was the wife of the late John “Jack” Somes Hardy.
Betsy was born in Evanston Ill., on October 25, 1936, to Arthur Daniel Anderson Jr. and Elizabeth Nina Soule. Shortly after her birth, her parents returned to New England where their families had been rooted, and in her mother’s case, since arriving on the Mayflower. She was extremely proud of both her English ancestry and her father’s Viking heritage.
As a youth, she lived in Milton, Cohasset and Marshfield, Mass., and graduated from Marshfield High School class of 1954. She was voted “Best Looking” and her yearbook lists her as both the “Idol of her Sex” and “Basketball Bombshell.” At the same time, she is listed as the “Lunch Table Goofball,” setting the tone for the rest of her life as anyone who knew her can attest. After high school, she traveled to England where she lived with family friends for a year.
Upon her return, she met Jack and they were married in 1957. They then moved to Norfolk, where he was stationed with the Navy. While there, she gave birth to their first-born, Robert.
They returned to New England where she gave birth to John and Steve (Mel) and created homes on Bailey’s Island in Scituate and Cohasset, eventually moving to Chatham, Cape Cod, Mass. From there, the adventure continued when she and Jack began life on the Atlantic aboard their beloved trawler, Antares, of which she was often seen at the wheel, while Jack managed the lines. Life at sea suited them and their dear Antares moored them regularly in the ports of Newport, R.I., Wiscasset, Maine, and Eluthra, Bahamas, to name a few safe harbors. With the discovery of Reedville and the charm and sense of welcome it offered, they eventually settled down on land again in their beautiful home, Catawba, in White Stone.
Throughout her life, Betsy was a lover of animals, be they mice in the wall, deer in the yard or one of the many dogs, cats or goats she and Jack rescued. She was athletic, and for a chapter, a fantastic tennis player later transitioning her competitive nature to the mahjong table where she gave her friends and worthy opponents a run for their money, weekly.
She loved the rush of real estate and was a successful agent during her time in Chatham. She was a member of the Garden Club of America and was passionate about the beauty nature could offer. She created beautiful gardens and enviable views at every stop along the way of her rich life.
She had a keen eye for decorating and entertained with vigor, providing wonderful memories for all invited. She adored her shenanigan loving family and was a giver of sage advice, to anyone at any time whether you were 2 or 82. Betsy was known for her practicality, tenacious spirit, humor, candor and loyal, generous heart. She made everyone feel like “they were her very, best friend.”
She is preceded by her parents; husband, Jack Somes Hardy; brother, Arthur Daniel Anderson III; and sister, Deborah Winsor Anderson MacDonald.
Betsy is survived by her three sons, Robert Anderson Hardy of White Stone, his two sons William and Jack and his wife Terise; John Somes Hardy Jr. of Hutchinson Island, Fla., his three sons Dana, Sam and his wife Kaitlin; and Ben and his wife Ivory; Stephen Melville Hardy and his wife Anne of Lake Forest, Ill., their three children, Jake, his wife Kate, Grace, her fiancé Jack and Nick; her brother, Mark Wakefield Anderson, his wife Christi and their son Ian of Newport; her sister-in-law, Barbara Anderson; many adoring family members including nieces, nephews their wives, husbands and children along with four great-grandchildren, a troop of life-long friends, and her good dog, Ike.
A celebration of life will be held in Duxbury, Mass., at a later time when the irises are in bloom.
