Lucile Speaks Hardy

Lucile Speaks Hardy, 92, of Independence, MO, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2009, at Centerpoint Hospital. A celebration of her life will be at 1:30 pm, Tuesday, February 24, at Carson-Speaks Chapel in Independence with burial in Mound Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8:00 pm Monday, February 23, at the Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Community of Christ Stone Church, or the Salvation Army. Lucile was born June 2, 1916, to Robert Blake and Mary Frances Speaks at Pleasanton, KS. Lucile was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Russell Hardy, on January 7, 2001, by her beloved daughter Linda Barnes Perusich on February 24, 1988, and by her two brothers, Roland R. Speaks and Albertus H. Speaks. She was a member of Community of Christ Stone Church and a fifty year member of O.E.S. Chapter 77 at Mound City, KS. Lucile was an accountant and funeral director at Speaks Family Legacy Chapels for thirty years, retiring in 1981, but remained active with the funeral home until 2007. She and her husband Russell, who were inseparable, developed a formula for creating shell-like Cameos and porcelain-like Lithophanes which were sold to decorators and gift buyers. She was know as the “Cameo Lady” in many parts of the country. Lucile is survived by a sister, MayDean Hardy and her husband Raymond M. Hardy, Independence, MO; her grandchildren, Gregory Ronald Perusich, and wife Annette Perusich, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Denise Bartley, Independence; great-grandchildren, Ryan Blake Richey, Lauren Caitlin Bartley, and Levi Russell Bartley, all of Independence; and many nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com. (Arr: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)