Da Anne Blanchard Watson Hardman, a mother, wife, grandmother, friend, traveler and true Gainesvillian died peacefully at home the morning of Saturday, September 29, 2018. She was 72.
Da Anne had been annoyed by a cancer diagnosis for many years but did not let that nuisance stop her from doing exactly as she would like. Da Anne had a sweet and kind heart, tempered by a will of steel, so, no matter the set-back, she kept moving forward with bravery and good cheer.
The biggest challenges came when after more than five decades of strong health, Da Anne’s health took a turn for the worse. She began treatment at Emory’s Winship Cancer Center where she received the best care imaginable and charmed everyone she met from her wonderful oncologist to the gentlemen who would take her car in the valet parking.
Other than her college years in Athens, which led her to an early marriage in South Georgia and in Atlanta, Da Anne was a lifelong resident of Gainesville, her hometown that she loved dearly.
On January 13, 1946, her parents, Coach Watson and Miss Daisy, traveled down to Atlanta from Gainesville to deliver Da Anne at Emory University Hospital. Little Day Day staked her claim in Gainesville as a tiny, bikini clad Little Miss Gainesville just four years later. She served as a Green Street Greenie during her elementary years, then went all the way through the Gainesville City School System with activities and accolades as varied as GHS’ Most Sincere, Most Fun to Be With, Managing Editor of the Trumpeter newspaper, Captain of the Basketball Cheerleaders and Majorette.
But if you asked her about the best part of growing up, Da Anne would tell you that it was all about her group of childhood girlfriends. Well before first grade, Da Anne met the group of women who would be her best friends for the next seven decades--through adventures, heartbreaks and love. They have served as the best company and companions a girl could ask for.
Da Anne’s college years were consumed with UGA football games, parties, Phi Mu meetings, a fun semester away in Mexico and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. Though engaged, she worked as a Chicago-based Delta stewardess (that’s what they called them in those days) until her wedding date.
After marrying, and while raising a son, Will, and a daughter, Elizabeth, in Atlanta, Da Anne served as the President of Arthur’s Vineyard Garden Club, shared great works of art to elementary children as a volunteer with The High and played many hours of bridge.
Da Anne and her family then moved to Colquitt, Georgia where her third child and second daughter, Claudia, arrived. Da Anne focused on needlepoint, raising funds for a new town library, playing many hours of bridge all while earning her Master’s degree in Educational Psychometry and Counseling.
Da Anne and her children moved back to Gainesville to finish graduate school, and she never left.
Through the years, Da Anne worked with the Northeast Georgia Special Education Unit completing educational evaluations. She sold real estate with her brother, serving as the Treasurer of the Board of Realtors, earning membership into the Diamond and Million Dollar Clubs. She also was active in Gainesville’s philanthropic community as a board member of the Non-Profit Authority, The Redevelopment Authority and The Guest House. Da Anne was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church.
During those years, she reconnected with Bill Hardman, an old friend from GHS who had always had a bit of a crush on her and rumor says often would tease her in the halls, despite Bill being a mere freshman when she was a senior cheerleader. They married in 1990, the same year, Da Anne began teaching Special Studies with the excellent teachers at East Hall Middle School. Soon she joined the wonderful staff at Lakeview Academy where she completed her teaching career, retiring twenty-two years later. Education and reading, both for enjoyment and for advancement were particular passions of Da Anne.
Though the cancer diagnosis was a setback, the doctors and staff at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute especially Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam, Tan Colbert, RN, and Dr. Albert Losken, not only healed her body, but also helped heal her spirit. They always encouraged her to live her life to the fullest. And she did.
Da Anne and Bill enjoyed traveling far and wide every chance they got. Over the years, they watched a bullfight in Spain, drank port in Portugal, toured museums in Paris and Normandy, drove through herds of bison in Montana, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and meandered around central and southern Italy. They took weekend trips to their beloved St. Simons Island and visited with their children and grandchildren as much as possible. But they were always glad to come home to their family home on Wessell Road.
Da Anne was the daughter of the late Alva Drane Watson, Jr. and Daisy Blanchard Watson. She was preceded in death by her sister Elizabeth Anne Watson. She is survived by her husband, Bill Hardman. Other survivors include a son and daughter-in-law Will Cobb and Cathy Cobb of Gainesville, Georgia; a daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth and Anthony Durel of Decatur, Georgia; a daughter Claudia Wheeler of Tucker, Georgia; Stepchildren Bill Hardman, Jr., Brooke Margerum, Stuart Hardman and Stephen Hardman; seven grandchildren Virginia and James Cobb; Elliot, Daisy and Cate Durel; Jack McEachern and Watson Wheeler; four step-grandchildren, Victoria, Parker and Scarlett Margerum and Raleigh Hardman. She is also survived by her brother A.D. Watson, III and a number of other cousins, nieces and nephews. Special love and thanks to her caregivers: Deidra Carver, Daemere McDonald, Renee Parton, Jackie Thompson, Shannon Clark, and Kassie Lewallen.
Visitation will be at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501 on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Gainesville First United Church in the Chapel, 2780 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506 on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, earmarked for lung cancer research, the Gainesville First United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 770-297-6200.
