Louise Hardy Parker's Obituary
Edith-Louise Hardy Parker transpired peacefully in her family home surrounded by those she loved at the age of 97. She was born in Santa Barbara, California, to Edith and George Hardy in 1921. The family relocated to Lafayette St in Alameda when Louise was in the second grade. She remained an Alameda native for the next 91 years. She graduated from Alameda High School in 1939 and received an associate’s degree from Laney College in 1941. She met her beloved late husband Bill at a USO dance held at the Veteran’s Center in Alameda in 1941. Bill’s service to country saw them married in 1942 in Norman, Oklahoma while Bill was stationed there. That started a fantastic and wonderful life shared by a family that loved her dearly, and that she loved passionately to the end. She is survived by her son Bruce, daughter-in-law Cathy, and several nieces and nephews on both sides of her family.
Her career path saw her working for the Alameda Shipping Terminal in the 1940’s when business was booming. As her husband’s career at the Naval Air Station, Alameda, blossomed, it was time for a family. She took time to raise two sons before going back to work for the superintendent of schools, becoming his secretary and staying there until she retired in 1987. She was retained by the school district to run the federal surveys that she had implemented in the 1960’s to bring federal funding to the Alameda Unified School District until the mid-1990’s. When Louise and Bill had both retired, they started an antique business called “Old Treasures Two” and traveled with antique shows until Bill’s untimely passing from cancer in 1995. Louise started her third and final career after Bill’s passing. She was a welcomed and requested member of the Alameda Hospital Auxiliary for 18 years, until she was forced by mobility to resign from her station at age 95.
Louise’s social life involved everything Alameda has to offer: She considered Alameda “her island”. If it improved Alameda or its education levels, she was involved at some level. P.E.O. Chapter UN and the Retired Public Employees Association were two of her favorite organizations. She also enjoyed groups from the First Presbyterian Church, the Older Adult Ministries being her last. She was the most loving and caring person, awesomely combined with a positive attitude made up of pure strength and fortitude! We’ll always wonder if she ever had a bad day. Her drive to succeed in life remains an example to all. Heaven’s getting the better of this, she’s an Angel, and we miss her sorely.
Louise’s memorial service will be January 26th at 1:00 pm in the First Presbyterian Church of Alameda followed by her celebration of life party at 2:00 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers and gifts may be made to the Louise Parker Memorial Fund at the First Presbyterian Church of Alameda, 510-522-1477.
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