Katherine Ann (Tarling) Hardison

SOUTH PORTLAND – Katherine Ann (Tarling) Hardison, 75, passed away peacefully with her sons by her side on Oct. 19, 2024, at Maine Medical Center after a brief illness. Kathy was born on June 14, 1949, in Portland, daughter of the late Arthur and Clara (Phillips) Tarling.

Kathy was a lifelong South Portland native, starting her life in the Redbank area and growing up on McKinley Street. It was here that she formed several long-standing friendships that she would keep for the rest of her life. She lived with her siblings and her parents, whom she loved dearly. In fact, love and devotion to her friends and family was a defining characteristic that Kathy exhibited throughout her life.

After graduating from South Portland High School in 1967, she attended the University of Maine at Orono, where she received a bachelor’s degree in primary education. She married Peter Hardison in 1974, and they lived in Portland for a time before moving back to South Portland, eventually settling down in the Standwood Park neighborhood not far from where she grew up. Here, she raised her two sons and walked various dogs, most notably her “baby and best friend” Abby.

For most of Kathy’s life, she worked in the insurance industry, spending time at Aetna, Travelers, and other smaller firms. She enjoyed her final working years Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer, & Nelson law firm in downtown Portland where she was known for her affinity for bird statues and putting smiles on her colleagues faces with her endless charm.

In her retirement, Kathy loved to go for walks, visit various beaches and Bug Light Park, attend exercise classes at Basics Fitness, listen to music and dance at Willow’s on Wednesday nights, and spend as much time as she could with her family and friends. Kathy was always a proud mother, but she was an even more proud grandmother (or “Gwammy”) who adored her granddaughter, Ellie. Kathy never missed her events, shared little tokens of love, and forged a bond so strong that it could be felt by those around them.

Kathy was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Peter. She is survived by her two sons, Kevin Hardison and his wife, Sarah Holmes and David and his wife, Stephanie Hardison; granddaughter, Eleanor; siblings John, Jeff, Arthur, and Susan; nieces and nephews, Megan, Tess, Sam, Caitlin, Brendan, and many other beloved extended family members.

Visiting hours will be held from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, with a Celebration of Life to begin at 12 p.m., at Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland; committal prayers will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

To view Kathy’s memorial page or to leave a condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kathy’s memory to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098, or online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E192136&id=74