Joanne (Shepard) Hardy

September 17, 2008

NEW BEDFORD – Joanne (Shepard) Hardy, 62, of the Olympia Towers, New Bedford, passed away Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at home. She was the widow of William Hardy and the daughter of the late Joseph and Lena Shepard.

A graduate of the New Bedford Handicapped School and the New Bedford High School, Mrs. Hardy was an active member of the Pilgrim United Church in New Bedford. She owned and operated the concession stand at the First National Bank in downtown New Bedford. She volunteered at the YMCA, where she taught swimming. Despite having Cerebral Palsy, Joanne strived to be independent. She loved local politics and ran for Ward 4 Councilor in 2001. A longtime downtown resident, she was frequently seen riding her motorized wheelchair with her faithful dog “Mia” at her side.

Mrs. Hardy enjoyed summers in her youth at the Martha’s Vineyard Cerebral Palsy Camp, “Camp Jabberwocky.” She was a true advocate for the disabled. A quote from Joanne was, “I’m glad I’m a fighter and I don’t feel sorry for myself. Our bodies might be twisted, but our minds are equal or better than the (so called) normal person. The best thing of all is Jesus loves me! I am a real survivor.”

Mrs. Hardy is survived by her brother, Arthur Shepard of Fairhaven; her sisters, Sharon Chace of Freetown and Carolyn Brodwick of Maine; and many nieces and nephews. Her family would also like to acknowledge her trustworthy personal care attendant, Tanisha L. Allen of Providence, RI, and her close friends, Tricia Rego of Fairhaven and Jerry Ferreira of New Bedford.

Funeral Information

A memorial service celebrating Joanne’s life will be held Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 10:00AM in the Day Room at Olympia Towers, 651 Purchase St., New Bedford. Everyone is welcome and invited to attend. Private arrangements are by the DONAGHY FUNERAL HOME, 465 County Street, New Bedford.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Schwartz Center for Children, One Posa Place, Dartmouth, MA 02747, and/or The Martha’s Vineyard Cerebral Palsy Camp, P.O. Box 1357, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.