Marilyn Miles Burke Hardy passed away peacefully on September 13, 2022 at age 96. She spent the last three years of her life in Maryland, after living in Southern California for more than 40 years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years Cmdr. Willis E. (Bill) Hardy, US Navy, Ret.; daughter Annette Hardy Hutchins; and sister Frances Burke Duggan. She is survived by loving daughters Charlee Hardy (Ed) and Sandra Hardy Reigel (Don); and grandchildren Erik Launder (Rebecca), Sean Launder (Vicki), Emily Beeks, Andrew Hutchins, and Elizabeth Reigel.

She is also survived by nieces Cindy Duggan, Eileen Duggan; nephews Kevin Duggan, Dennis Duggan, Tim Duggan; brother-in-law John Hardy (Sue); nephew Ed Hardy (Paula), and other beloved Hardy family nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, and was an alumna of James Madison University and the Marsh School of Music. She was a young teen when her parents Charles "Buck" and Nellie Miles Burke invited WW II Navy servicemen to dinner after church services, in appreciation for their service. At the end of the war, Bill Hardy, one of the Sunday regulars, returned for dinner after an absence of several years of serving overseas as a decorated fighter pilot. Twenty-year-old Marilyn discovered that Bill Hardy wasn't nearly as annoying as he had been when she was a young teen, and they married in 1946.

Marilyn was a highly-organized and resilient Navy spouse and mother, creating countless warm and welcoming homes for her family of three daughters during the years that her husband was stationed at numerous military bases and overseas for months at a time. The family relocated so many times, she insisted before her death that her headstone be engraved "My last move."

Marilyn loved music and was a life-long learner. She served in community organizations and as a library docent. Her charm, intelligence, and razor-sharp wit will be remembered by her family and everyone who knew and loved her.

Marilyn loved cats and her grand-dogs. To honor her life, memorial gifts may be made to local Humane Societies, animal shelters, or animal rescue organizations.