HELEN ELIZABETH MOSHER HARDIN, retired co-founder of Hardin's Distributing Company, passed away at her home on November 15, 2008 at the age of 95 after a short illness. Helen was born in Michigan but with her family to Memphis at the age of 6. Helen and her husband of 76 years, Jabie Sanford Hardin, Jr., were a dynamic pair up until the time of his death in December of 2007. She shared Jabie's hobbies: boating, fishing and traveling in their motor home. And they were avid University of Memphis basketball fans. She was an accomplished needle pointer, enjoyed her greenhouse and gardening, as well as cooking and entertaining. The company she and Jabie founded in 1936, became one of the most successful enterprises in the food industry, eventually becoming Hardin-Sysco. With this success, came their ability to become active philanthropists in this community, and elsewhere, for many years. In 1993, the Hardins established the Jabie Sanford Hardin III Chair of Excellent in Combinatorial Mathematics in memory of their only son, who passed away in 1985 at the age of 51. He was a senior programmer andanalyst with AT&T and Pacific Bell, Inc., and played a key role in the development of computer technology for business and communications. Also, in 1993, the Hardins gave the Memphis Zoo, the largest private individual gift in its history. The zoo's new primate canyon was named the Helen and Jabie Hardin primate Canyon in their honor. In 1994, they established the Helen and Jabie Hardin Chair of Excellence in Economics/Managerial Journalism at the University of Memphis. In 1996, the Hardins received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award that can be bestowed on an alumnus or friend of the U of M. Additionally, the university honored the Hardins with the 1995 Walter A. Barret Distinguished Service Award for their philanthropic support. During that same year, the couple received the 1995 Crystal Award for Philanthropy from the Memphis Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. The following year, the Hardins established a Chair in Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee, Jabie's alma mater. They named the chair in honor of their good friend, Dr. Jon Robertson. Also in 1996, Hardin Hall, the result of a generous gift, was dedicated at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. The Baptist East Hardin Pediatric Center is another example of the couple's generous and caring spirit. The Hardins have also supported the Child Advocacy Center, Partners in Public Education, Rhodes College, Memphis Fire Museum, Methodist Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Memphis and Shelby County Public Library and the Salvation Army. We can't speak of Helen without speaking of Jabie. As a couple, they gave out of a sense of wanting to give back to others. The face and culture of Memphis has been changed forever with their efforts. They were private in their outlook and humble in their actions, but they looked on the publicity spotlight when they made such contributions as a necessary evil. Jabie once commented at yet another fancy dinner in their honor that, although they appreciated being recognized, they agreed to this kind of spotlight...because it will encourage others who have the means to give back to the Memphis community. Among the last contributions Helen made before she had a massive stroke three months ago was funding the Helen Hardin Honors Program at the University of Memphis. It's interesting to know a bit of the background on her thinking. Education was always been a significant concern with both her and Jabie. When it came specifically to students, she was always concerned with those who might not be able to go to college otherwise. This program has the potential of helping many outstanding students who will be the next leaders. Helen was a member of Second Presbyterian Church. In addition to her husband, Jabie and son, Jabie III, she was preceded in death by her parents, Fern and Harry Mosher. She is survived by one sister, Margaret Falgout of San Diego, CA; two nieces, Larry Huffman and Paula Couturier of San Diego, CA; brother-in-law, John Hardin of New York City and nephew, Barry Hardin of Memphis, along with many others beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Services were held Tuesday, November 18 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Reverend Andy Wells officiated. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. (Published in The Commercial Appeal on 11/23/2008)

Additional information provided by Find A Grave contributor, APK (47159062): Father is Harry Ernest Mosher born August 30, 1889 in Grand Rapids, MI.