Margaret “Peg” Hardy (King), 98, of Prairie Village, KS passed away peacefully surrounded by family at St. Luke’s Hospice House on April 3, 2025. Peg was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years Donald Hardy (1989), second husband Jim Evans (1990), and her beloved son Michael Hardy (1971).
Peg was born November 7, 1926 to Loretta and Edward King. She was an only child. She enjoyed her summers in Seattle with many of her cousins on the family farm. Peg graduated from the University of St. Mary’s Leavenworth in 1946 and later received her master’s degree from UMKC.
Peg married Donald “Don” Hardy in 1951 and together they had four children. They raised their family on 15th Street in Kansas City, KS across from St. Peter’s Cathedral. Peg later married James “Jim” Evans in 1990.
Peg taught for 37 years in the KCMO school district, inspiring generations of students with her dedication and passion for learning. Peg was an active member of the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, Monday Club, and Friends of the Arts. She enjoyed golf and water aerobics much of her life and often played bridge and canasta with friends. Peg was a devout Catholic her entire life. She was a member of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Church of the Nativity and Church of the Ascension where she also sang in the choir. Most recently Peg was a parishioner of Cure of Ars while living at Mission Chateau. Peg was also a talented piano player, playing for family at gatherings and holidays.
Peg was an avid traveler who embraced adventure. She traveled with her gals throughout her retirement years to destinations including: Israel, Russia, Paris, Egypt, Africa, Ireland (her favorite) and Peru to name a few. Peg and her gals “had a ball” everywhere they went.
Peg is survived by her children: Kevin Hardy (Jenny) of Riley, KS, Karen Lair (Mark) of Chanute, KS, Brian Hardy (Georgette) of New Braunfels, TX and step-daughter Laura Evans of Overland Park, KS. Peg loved her 13 grandchildren: Chad Hardy (Sanja), Michael Lawrence, Kevan Lair (Kayla), Whitney Schairer (Trent), Kelli Corwin (Chris), Conner Lair, Kate Lair, Emily Lair, John Ryan Hardy (Jenna), Chris Hardy (Ally), Seth Hardy, Sean Hardy (Lexi) and Brynn Cooper (Jed) and her 11 great-grandchildren: Cian and Caden Hardy, Maggie, Jack and Ben Schairer, Caroline and Catherine Corwin, Emmerson Hardy, Eleanor Hardy and Harley and Leiland Cooper.
Memorial services will be held at Church of the Nativity on Wednesday, April 9th. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. All are welcome to join the family for a luncheon in the Parish Hall following the mass. Inurnment will take place immediately following the luncheon at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery for family members only. The funeral mass will be livestreamed at www.kcnativity.org (will go live 5 minutes before the mass).
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests gifts be made to the Judge Donald A. Hardy and Michael J. Hardy Scholarship at Rockhurst University, by visiting https://www.rockhurst.edu/give. Please indicate your gift is in memory of Peg Hardy.