Leah Patricia Hardwick

Leah Patricia Hardwick, lovingly known as Pat, passed away in her home on June 30, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on June 14, 1940, in Illinois to Leland and Winnifred (Winnie) Leonard-Magee, Pat was known for her strength, resilience, warmth, wit, and unwavering heart. To know her was to love her — and to be loved by her was to carry that love with you forever.

Pat’s life was beautifully interwoven with her husband, Harry Hardwick. Married on December 23, 1978, they shared 46 incredible years of marriage. Their relationship was built on playful teasing, deep loyalty, and true companionship. Their partnership was a steady and treasured constant in the lives of those who knew them. Since Harry’s passing in 2024, Pat carried his memory close, and the thought of their reunion now brings comfort to many.

She was a proud and loving mother to David (Renee) Hardwick, Jennifer (Ted) Schultz, Joanne (Paul) Prather, Patty Antwine, and Robert (Mary) Hardwick, and lovingly welcomed her stepdaughters Christine Hardwick and Denise Hardwick. Pat’s greatest joy came from her family, including her grandchildren: Miranda (Jason) Hernandez, Nicole (Colin) Robbins, Leah Hardwick, Brittany (Zach) Sedlacek, Jaden Perez, Haley Antwine, Ethan Hardwick, Addison Hardwick, Hunter Antwine, Jessica Colombo, Christy Hardwick, and Annie Guenther — as well as her many great-grandchildren. She was the center of every holiday, the keeper of family traditions, and the one you always wanted to sit next to at the table.

Pat enjoyed a special and lifelong friendship with her brother- and sister-in-law, Bud and Pat Hardwick. Their camping trips were filled with simple pleasures, shared stories, and joyful laughter — memories that remain treasured by those who shared in them.

Her home was the heart of the family — always full of comforting aromas, laughter, and cherished memories. Pat was rarely far from the kitchen, where she cooked from instinct and love. It wasn’t uncommon to find recipes scribbled on the backs of envelopes, napkins, or whatever paper happened to be nearby. No matter how casually it came together, whatever she cooked somehow became someone’s new favorite.

Game nights were a staple in her home — competitive, loud, and full of fun. Everyone who walked through her door was welcomed, fed, and, more often than not, challenged to a game of dominoes or dice.

As Pat and Harry’s needs changed, the entire family came together in support – a true testament to the love they had built around them. Each child and grandchild surrounded them with support, love, and care. Pat often expressed her gratitude for her daughter Joanne, whose devoted daily caregiving brought comfort and steadiness during the later chapters of their lives.

Pat had a lightness, a subtle sense of humor, and a bit of mischievousness that made people smile. She was known for her kind heart, her dependability, and her unwavering loyalty. She also had a deep love for animals, especially her beloved and thoroughly spoiled Pomeranians, who brought her great joy and companionship.

Pat will be remembered not only for the life she lived, but for the love she gave — freely, fully, and without expectation. She was a constant, a comfort, and a quiet force of goodness in the lives of so many.

Her absence will be felt deeply, but her spirit lives on in every shared meal, every burst of laughter, and every story passed down around the table.

A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 a.m. August 16, 2025, at Arrington Funeral Directors. The visitation will be 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization both she and Harry were devoted to supporting.