NORWAY — Joyce D. Hards died peacefully on Friday, Aug. 4, at Stephens Memorial Hospital. She is the beloved wife of Ted Hards (deceased), mother of Jane and Judy, nana of Sarah and Susie, great-nana of Cash and sister of Morris and Anne.

Joyce was born on May 25, 1925, in Dundee, Scotland, the daughter of James and Alexina (Doig) Yeaman, the second of five children. While growing up in Dundee, Joyce belonged to the Girl Guides, took piano lessons, performed with the Dundee Skating Club, and went to business college. She then moved to Forfar to live and help out at the Royal Hotel, which her parents owned. World War II broke out in her early teens and at the age of 19, she chose to enter the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Although the war with Germany finished while she was in basic training in Edinburgh, she served for two more years at Ness Castle, Inverness, in the north of Scotland.

Joyce met her husband, Edward “Ted” Hards, before going into the ATS. He was an RAF pilot at the time and they stayed in touch until they returned to civilian life, when they became engaged and then married on April 2, 1948. They settled down in Godalming, Surrey, England, where Ted had grown up. After Ted finished Leather Chemist’s College, they moved to Acton, Ontario, Canada, then immigrated to the U.S., where they first lived in Salem, Mass. and on to South Paris, where Ted managed A.C. Lawrence Leather Co. and they made their home for 16 years.

Joyce was very active in the community while living in South Paris. As well as being involved in her children’s lives, she volunteered in the schools and hospital auxiliary and was a Girl Scout leader in South Paris for many years. She was confirmed in the Episcopal Church while in Canada and was very active in Christ Episcopal Church in Norway, serving as president of the Guild, Couples Club, Sunday school and the vestry. In 1972, Joyce and Ted moved to the Midwest, first Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then Lake Forest, Illinois. While living there, she was a founding member of Sisters on a Journey (a five-year Bible study program), active in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest and played competitive tennis and bridge. In 1987, when Ted retired from the leather business, they purchased their little bit of heaven on Norway Lake and moved “home” to Maine to be near family and friends. In her life, Joyce made many friends that were very dear to her.

Joyce proudly became an American citizen in 1993. In her retirement years, she continued to stay active and attended all of her granddaughter’s activities, being a very proud “nana.” She has always been known as a wonderful homemaker, gracious hostess and a great cook. After all of her years in America, she never entirely lost her Scottish accent. She had a special fondness in her heart for a place in Forfar, Scotland; a town nestled in the Valley of Strathmore, where on the crest of the hill overlooking the valley is “a view that takes your breath away.”

Joyce is survived by her two daughters, Jane Hards and Judy Mayberry; son-in law, Don Mayberry; granddaughters, Sarah Mayberry and partner, Tim Rines; Susie Hanington and husband, Mark Hanington; and great-grandson, Cash Hanington. She is also survived by her brother, Morris Yeaman of Forfar, Scotland; and her sister, Anne Stock, of Perth, Scotland; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joyce was predeceased by her brothers, Spence Yeaman and James Yeaman; and her husband, Ted, who died on March 14. Ted and Joyce enjoyed 69 years of marriage.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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