Florence Sammon Hardesty

We regretfully announce the passing of Mrs. Florence Sammon Hardesty at age 90.
Florence was born to Edward and Alma Rettig Sammon on May 7, 1932, in Oakland, CA. She passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully and of natural causes at her home of nearly 60 years in Glendale on March 10, 2023.
From the beginning Florence had a vibrant and independent personality as well as a sharp mind. She graduated as valedictorian of both her 8th grade class in San Leandro, CA, in 1945, and her high school class at Lodi Academy in 1949. She then attended Pacific Union College, completing a secretarial certificate course.
She married her high school sweetheart, the late John Kinzie Hardesty, in 1951. After Kinzie completed medical school at Loma Linda University in 1957, they moved to Glendale. Her life was full and busy as a homemaker for her family of 4 children, as well as manager for 46 years of Kinzie’s family medicine office in Highland Park, until they both retired in 2005.
Florence and Kinzie enjoyed traveling (22 countries and most states in the USA), snow skiing, hiking (Mt Whitney twice), and especially visiting with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Florence is survived by her sister, 3 children, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Her beloved husband, Kinzie of 58 years of marriage, predeceased her in 2009, and her daughter, Candra, in 2017.
Though Florence will be greatly missed, her life was well lived. Her family and friends are grateful to have so many special memories of her.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Wee Kirk o’ the Heather chapel at Glendale Forest Lawn Cemetery, followed by interment adjacent to her husband in the Ascension section.