In memory of
Phyllis Jean Hardie
September 20, 1948 - April 6, 2026
Phyllis Jean Hardie, age 77, of Scarborough, Ontario, passed away peacefully at Scarborough Health Network- General Hospital following a hemorrhagic stroke on March 18, 2026. She was in palliative care at the time of her passing.
Phyllis was born in Alberton, Prince Edward Island, to Gordon and Barbara Stewart (nee McAllar). At the age of five, her family moved to Toronto, where she was raised. She graduated from Royal York Collegiate Institute and was the eldest of five girls.
In June 1967, Phyllis met the love of her life, John Hardie, while working at Prudential Insurance. They were married on June 21, 1968, and together built a loving family. They had three children: Christine (1971), Stephanie (1973), and Johanne (1978).
Phyllis began her career in early childhood education after earning her ECE diploma from Centennial College. She worked as a coordinator at Malvern Community Centre before pursuing further education at the University of Toronto while working. She later joined the Scarborough Board of Education as an Educational Assistant and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree. Determined and passionate, Phyllis attended Teachers College and began her teaching career at the age of 50—an achievement that reflected her perseverance, dedication, and belief that it is never too late to follow one’s dreams. She retired in 2012.
Phyllis and John shared a love of travel and adventure, exploring the world together—from Europe to Australia, and from the Yukon to Antarctica.
Phyllis found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved her garden, spent many peaceful hours watching birds from her window, and expressed her creativity as an artist. She was an avid reader and remained deeply interested in the world around her.
Phyllis will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, John Hardie; her mother, Barbara Stewart (McAllar); her children: Christine Browne (Kevin Browne), Stephanie Hardie (Anthony Thompson), and Johanne Taylor (Doug Taylor); and her cherished grandchildren: Victoria and Emily Browne; Hannah, Liam, Allison, Bobby, and Heather Shinton; Scott, Colin, and Nicole Taylor;
She is also survived by her siblings; Myrna Young (Tom Young) Jeff and Scott Young; Debbie Saunders (Mike Saunders) Chris and Jennifer Saunders; Keith Matush, Rob Matush, Janice Kormandy, and Gordon Scott, as well as her brother-in-law Wayne Hardie (Donna Jarvis), Sharlene and Ryan Hardie.
Phyllis was predeceased by her father, Gordon Stewart; her sisters Joyce Scott (John Scott) and Janice Matush; and her in-laws, Ventry and Alberta Hardie.
Phyllis will be cremated, and a celebration of her life will be held later in the year when all family members can be present.
“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson
“Grief is the price we pay for love.” - CS Lewis
Phyllis was born in Alberton, Prince Edward Island, to Gordon and Barbara Stewart (nee McAllar). At the age of five, her family moved to Toronto, where she was raised. She graduated from Royal York Collegiate Institute and was the eldest of five girls.
In June 1967, Phyllis met the love of her life, John Hardie, while working at Prudential Insurance. They were married on June 21, 1968, and together built a loving family. They had three children: Christine (1971), Stephanie (1973), and Johanne (1978).
Phyllis began her career in early childhood education after earning her ECE diploma from Centennial College. She worked as a coordinator at Malvern Community Centre before pursuing further education at the University of Toronto while working. She later joined the Scarborough Board of Education as an Educational Assistant and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree. Determined and passionate, Phyllis attended Teachers College and began her teaching career at the age of 50—an achievement that reflected her perseverance, dedication, and belief that it is never too late to follow one’s dreams. She retired in 2012.
Phyllis and John shared a love of travel and adventure, exploring the world together—from Europe to Australia, and from the Yukon to Antarctica.
Phyllis found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved her garden, spent many peaceful hours watching birds from her window, and expressed her creativity as an artist. She was an avid reader and remained deeply interested in the world around her.
Phyllis will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, John Hardie; her mother, Barbara Stewart (McAllar); her children: Christine Browne (Kevin Browne), Stephanie Hardie (Anthony Thompson), and Johanne Taylor (Doug Taylor); and her cherished grandchildren: Victoria and Emily Browne; Hannah, Liam, Allison, Bobby, and Heather Shinton; Scott, Colin, and Nicole Taylor;
She is also survived by her siblings; Myrna Young (Tom Young) Jeff and Scott Young; Debbie Saunders (Mike Saunders) Chris and Jennifer Saunders; Keith Matush, Rob Matush, Janice Kormandy, and Gordon Scott, as well as her brother-in-law Wayne Hardie (Donna Jarvis), Sharlene and Ryan Hardie.
Phyllis was predeceased by her father, Gordon Stewart; her sisters Joyce Scott (John Scott) and Janice Matush; and her in-laws, Ventry and Alberta Hardie.
Phyllis will be cremated, and a celebration of her life will be held later in the year when all family members can be present.
“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson
“Grief is the price we pay for love.” - CS Lewis