Joan Hardy
Nurse Hardy was born in Goole, the third of six children and the last surviving. She trained as a nurse at St James’s Hospital in Leeds and after qualifying in 1939 did further training as a midwife and Queen’s Nurse.
Her first appointment was at Guisborough in North Yorkshire during the war years, where she worked as a district nurse, school nurse, midwife and health visitor. She moved to Guiseley as district nurse in 1946 and set up home with her sister Betty who had then been demobbed from the Army.
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Hide AdIn 1964 she was presented with her Long Service medal (25 years) at St James’ Palace, London. She and Betty lived in Oxford Avenue, Guiseley, until 2002 when together they went to live at Ghyll Royd Nursing Home where they were affectionately known as “the sisters”.
Joan was an active member of Ilkley Soroptimists and went on to become a founder member of the Aireborough branch in Guiseley, being secretary for a number of years before becoming President in 1971/72.
She continued her membership to the very end and was most grateful for the support she continued to receive from the local members, many of whom are taking an active part in her funeral on Monday as a mark of respect.