Linda Louise Hardwick, 84, of New Castle, passed away peacefully at her residence on Friday, March 13, 2026. Born February 22, 1942, in New Castle, Indiana, to the late Herchel and Stella (Van Meter) Nash, Linda was a 1960 graduate of Walter P. Chrysler High School. She was a longtime member of both the New Castle Eagles and Moose Lodges.
For many years Linda worked at Brooks Canning Factory and later served as a cook at the New Castle Eagles Lodge. In her earlier years she cooked at the Bun Boy Café on Brown Road, where she first met her future husband, Paul Hardwick. She also sold Avon. Linda found joy in cooking, completing crossword puzzles, watching mystery and comedy shows, and reading. She cherished time spent with her family, held a lifelong passion for horses, and enjoyed following horse racing.
She is survived by her children, Teresa Smith (Kevin Baker) of Lewisville, Sheryl Abrams of New Castle, and Mark (Lynette) Hardwick of Indianapolis; grandchildren Carrie Hardwick (Jeff), Gary Smith (Brandi), Paul Stockton (Liz), Brandy Wilkinson (Floyd), Summer Williamson, Jonathan Hardwick, and Anna Hardwick; and her grand-dog, Daisy Duke. Linda is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, five generations of great and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Hardwick; son-in-law Gary “Dink” Smith; daughter-in-law Rosanne Hardwick; grandson Dustin Smith; great-grandson Bishop Wilkinson; and her siblings Robert, Leslie, Ronald and Donald Nash, Alois “Pete” Laboyteaux, Lavonne (Bob) Guffey, and Claudia (Pete) Gann.
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