69.0°,
A Few Clouds Florence Hardgrove, 95
Devoted performer and lover of music
Florence Evadne Deyerle Hardgrove, beloved mother of Faith Skelos and son in law Peter Skelos, and grandmother to Alexis and Daphne Skelos passed away at her home with her family at her side on June 5. She was 95.
Hardgrove was born in Richmond, Va. on April 4, 1921. Her father was a bishop for the Methodist Church in Virginia. Her childhood was spent moving from parish to parish, but she called the small town of Urbana, Va., on the Rappahonack River, her home.
It was there in the church that she developed her love of music. After graduating from Randolph Macon Women’s College, Hardgrove travelled the country with the Baltimore and Chicago Opera Companies. She became a member of the Leibling Singers, singing along side the famous Beverly Sills, and performing with symphonies across the country. The group made many appearances on radio and early television programs.
In 1947, she married Wallace John Hardgrove, Jr. of Rockville Centre. She continued to perform at the Sunrise Village in Bellmore and various other theatre organizations. Florence held positions as a cantor in Temple Emanuel in Lynbrook, and as choir director in the Congregational Church in Wantagh and at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Seaford. This led her to her life’s work, bringing people together through music.
She opened the Hardgrove School of Music on Washington Avenue in Seaford and began teaching voice and piano out of her home when Faith was born. Hardgrove remained active in local theater and performance groups. For 58 years, she taught hundreds of students and shared her passion for music with them all. When she returned to Rockville Centre, Hardgrove continued to unite people through music as a choir member in St. Mark’s choir and by leading a weekly sing-along at the Sandel Senior Center.
Hardgrove is survived by her daughter, Faith Skelos, her son in law Peter, and her grandchildren Alexis and Daphne.
A memorial service celebrating Hardgrove’s life will be held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church on June 18 at 11 a.m. Hardgrove was a devoted member of St. Mark’s and its choir, and looked forward to worship each and every Sunday. Her family is thankful for the many friendships she developed at The Sandel Senior Center and the services the Village of Rockville Centre provides to its senior citizens.
You may remember Hardgrave by offering a donation to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 200 Hempstead Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570, or Friends of Senior Services, Inc. (FOSSI), c/o The Leonard S. Sandel Senior Center, 50 South Park Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, or to the We Care Fund, c/o Nassau County Bar Association, 15th & West Streets Mineola, NY 11501.
