Hardy, Joan

Joan Hardy (1922-2013)

JOAN Marguerite Emma Hardy, was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Walter Meadows.

She attended St Anne’s School in Grantham, from 1926 to 1932, followed by Spitalgate Girls’ School until 1935.

In January 1942 she married Oliver Hardy a union that lasted 69 years.

Her first job was as a housemaid and cook for a Mrs Downs, on Barrowby Road. Later she moved to chiropodist Mrs Wolfendale, as a receptionist/cook.

During the Second World War she operated a lathe and later inspected engineering parts at a the Ministry of Aircraft Production, Londonthorpe Lane (later Kontak). She also worked at Kontak for a short time.

After the war she returned to BMARC on final inspection and later became secretary to the chief inspector. She remained there until she retired in June 1981 after 33 years.