Sarah “Sally” Bonnycastle Hardy, age 70, died Friday, October 9, 2009, of lung cancer. Sally was born July 9, 1939, in Louisville, KY, the daughter of the late Arthur Chichester and Sarah Whitehead Bonnycastle. She was the wife of Archibald Hardy III and predeceased by her sister, Charlotte “Bonny” Bonnycastle Helm.

Sally was a graduate of The Louisville Collegiate School and Bennett Junior College in Millbrook, NY. She received her bachelor’s degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education from The University of South Carolina. She served on the faculty at The University of South Carolina and Allen University.

Sally’s dedication to quality early childhood education continued through her efforts as a nationally recognized trainer and author for Head Start and other federal programs. In addition, she owned and operated two businesses, Youth Education Services (YES, Inc.) and Nannies, Inc. In the last decade, Sally did early childhood consulting and planning for various Native American tribal communities across the country.

Sally served on the boards of numerous nonprofits and social organizations. She helped start the Columbia Ronald McDonald House and was the founding board chair. She was a past president of the Wistaria Garden Club, The Assembly and, most recently, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of South Carolina.

She is survived by her husband, Archibald Hardy III of Columbia; daughter, Sarah Boykin Hardy and son–in–law, Gavin Lower, of Darlington Heights, VA; her sons, Archibald “Chip” Hardy IV and daughter–in–law, Mary Stuart, of Columbia, Mason Bonnycastle Hardy and daughter–in–law, Michelle, of Columbia; grandchildren, Landon Everett Hardy, Archibald McLanahan “Mac” Hardy, Ian Rutherford Lower, Sarah Andrews Hardy and Mary Heyward Hardy; several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sally was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and matriarchal figure to the extended family. All who knew her appreciated her compassion for others, her joy of entertaining, and her ability to see the good in everyone she met. She loved to cook, garden and spend time with her grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at 11 am Monday, October 12, 2009, at Trinity Cathedral. The family received visitors Sunday at the home of her son, Chip Hardy, and immediately following the service. A separate memorial will be held in Saluda, NC, in the near future with final interment in Louisville, KY, in November.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to The Endowment Fund of the Church of the Transfiguration, P.O. Box 275, Saluda, N.C. 28773, The Ronald McDonald House, 1529 Hampton St., Suite 201, Columbia S.C. 29201 or the Trinity Learning Center of Trinity Cathedral, 1100 Sumter St., Columbia, S.C. 29201.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.