Jean Marie (Sislow) Hardwick

Jean Marie Hardwick (nee: Sislow) left us to be with her parents and siblings in heaven on October 11, 2021.  She lived a full life. Born into a proud, working class, Polish, immigrant family, her mother  Amelia, and father, John Michael Sislow had two elder children Delores and Robert, and one younger child, Michael.  All have preceded their sister in death.  Jean attended South Amherst Schools and lived in town until two years ago when they moved to Beavercreek, Ohio to be closer to their son.  

Jean met her life-long love and companion, Glen, as a teen in South Amherst. They married 65 years ago and had two boys, Mark and Matthew.  Over the years, they became grandparents three times with the first, Oliver, then Adele in Bellbrook, Ohio, then with Kelli Nani in Honolulu. However, many will attest that she was their de facto “Grandma Jean.”  Jean was a strong matriarch - an independent woman before it was fashionable. She worked as a homemaker initially, but later worked over 25 years as a nurse on both medical and surgical floors at Lorain Community Hospital.  She was proud to have helped so many there over the years and developed life-long acquaintances and friends along the way.

Jean enjoyed life and especially meeting and speaking with anyone who had time.  Despite having multiple sclerosis, an evil disease that tried to take over her life,  she was a camper with an eternally positive, can-do attitude.  Whether faced with simple tasks like homework or difficult life questions for herself or her family, her attitude made everything possible.

Jean had so many things on this earth that she loved beginning with her husband, Glen.  With her MS, she was unable to walk, but Glen never let that stop them from being included. If ever there were two people who molded to seamlessly become one, it was Jean and Glen.  She loved her boys, Mark and his family, Puanani and Kelli Nani; and Matthew and his wife Lynn and her grandkids, Oliver and Adele.

Jean was blessed with a wonderful extended family including her husband’s brother, Rufus and his wife, Hilda, and his sister, Gertie, and their children.  Aunt Jean also had many terrific nieces and nephews from her siblings Delores and Steve; Bob and Carol; and Michael and Sandy who have filled her life with happiness.  She leaves behind this wonderful legacy in nieces and nephews: Christopher, Daniel, Cynthia, Tom, John, Denise, Mickey, Sherry, Cathy, Sue, Joyce (deceased), Gary, Diane, and Jackie.

Jean led a life with purpose and always maintained her Catholic lifestyle and beliefs. She also loved life’s simple pleasures and never shied away from work.  She enjoyed crafting, creating quilts, crocheting and knitting so many useful and beautiful items often personalized to each recipient.  She gardened and canned so many items she routinely gave to others.  Jean especially enjoyed her flowers and trees and would always have a fresh bouquet adorning her home.  She loved birds, especially her bluebirds, and countless bird walks were a given every time she and her family would go camping which occurred every year pulling a camper all over the USA.  Undoubtedly, that is where she influenced others to participate in many of the board games and card games that she enjoyed playing.  

So this remarkable person left this life on October 11, 2021, but never can one say she was cheated, and all who knew her would admit she was a beautiful lady.

Public visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 8 am until the time of the Mass of Christian burial at 9 am at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 333 South Lake St., South Amherst, Ohio. The Rev. Fr. Timothy O’Connor will officiate.  Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Schoepfle Gardens, ℅ Lorain County Metroparks, 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange OH 44050.

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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