Selena D Hardy

Selena Hardy, 46, of Providence Rhode Island, passed away on December 30, 2018 at the Roger Williams Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. She was born May 20, 1972 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Lennox Williams and the late Augusta Mae Johnson.

Selena is survived by three sons, Terrance Hardy 27, Romello Brown 17, Roman Brown 15 and one daughter Tyshaiela Hardy 25 all of Providence, RI; one grandson Emery Bailey 3 years of age; two sisters Makeba Hardy-Thomas of Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Shaplaie Brooks of Providence, Rhode Island; three brothers David Hardy (deceased), Oba Hardy of Providence, Rhode Island, and Ike Williams of Harlem, New York; and host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her familial line does not end there. After her mother died, her youngest siblings (whom she helped to raise) were adopted by Apostle Mary Thomas-Watkins. She gained 3 additional sisters; Carolyn Thomas Davis of Springfield, Mass, Niobe Thomas of Providence, Rhode Island, and her beloved sister Anna Thomas of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Selena also raised, housed, and fed several other children without asking for any assistance. Amy Volpe and Nikkalas Jones both of Providence, Rhode Island as well as more than 10 other young men and women she treated as her children.

As she began to live life without her mother, God sent Jeanette (net-net) Maxwell who first started as her daycare provider, but then her bonus mother. She then gained another brother Andre Taylor. As time went on, her Aunt Carolyn Hardy became another bonus mother.

Selena was a long time resident of Providence where she lived since leaving her childhood home in Boston at the age of 7. She attended Central High School, she continued her education by completing the CNA nursing program at the Providence Association of RI and later she received her associate’s degree in office management at the Sawyer School.

After receiving her degree, she accepted a position with the Office of the State RI Fire Marshall. Selena worked administration at the RI Lottery, and ended her career working for the Nickerson House where she also held a positon in administration. This was the ideal position with a nonprofit organization that assisted retired veterans. This position brought Selena the most happiness by ensuring that her clients had a place to lay their head and hot meal to eat; which represented the core of who she was.

Selena was devoted to her children; sacrificing her wants to make sure they all had more than she ever did. She often took in her children’s friends when they had nowhere else to go. She was everything good to the world and took all of the trials in stride. She had a “pick up and move on” policy. When bad things happened, you wouldn’t dwell on them. There is too much to do!

Selena enjoyed preparing her famous Sunday dinners for her family members and their friends each and every week. This was an opportunity for her loved ones to be together and enjoy each other with a few laughs and jokes. The first Sunday of each month Selena would celebrate with a cake for all love ones who had a birthday within that month. Sometimes it would be 4 to 5 names on one single cake, it didn’t matter she wanted everyone to feel loved. During each dinner she served everyone their individual plates and made sure that the game was on for all of the sports fans. If you had dietary restrictions or you were just picky, Selena made a dish just for you.

Our beloved sister, mother, daughter and family member will be missed. We will continue to celebrate her life by volunteering in the community and ensuring that if anyone comes across our path is hungry, they receive a hot meal. If anyone is in need of a place to stay, we will open our homes. We will continue Selena’s legacy by carrying on her Sunday dinner traditions far beyond our generation. Selena, thank you for leaving such an impression on this world, you will be truly missed by all who knew you.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Funeral Service on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 9 am at The King’s Cathedral, 1860 Westminster St. Providence. Visitation will be prior to services 8 am to 9 am. Burial will be in North Burial Ground Cemetery, Providence.    Repass will be held 1pm to 5pm at Cape Verdean Social Club, 329 Grosvenor Avenue East Providence,  RI 02914.          

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.