Peggy Maloney Hardin

Strong as steel and sweet as sugar to the end, Peggy Maloney Hardin passed away after a short illness Friday at age 87, leaving a legacy of laughter, love and family.

Peg was born and lived for most of her life in Blades, where she was married to the late BJ Hardin for 42 years and retired after decades at Wilmington Trust. A verifiable master of Sussex County chicken and dumplings, Peggy put homestyle love into all she did, serving as an example of the gracious mindset toward others that God wants us all to embrace.

For Peggy, the high road was always the only road, and the right thing was surely the only thing to do. From her words and deeds, we absorbed her strength of character and resolve, her cheery attitude and forgiving laugh.

That laughter, and so much else, will live on within us all.

Peggy is survived by her nephews John and Eric Ruth, who cared for her in recent months. Survivors also include stepdaughters Beverly and Walter Lewanowicz of Richmond; Beth and Tom Lewis of Richmond; grandchildren Gordon, Kate, Meredith, Grayson and Garrett; her great-grandchildren, Olivia and Jesse; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be at 12:00 PM Saturday Dec. 11 at Blades Cemetery, 1000 S. Market St., Blades. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Blades United Methodist Church, 306 S. Market Street, Seaford 19973.

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