Evelyn Hardiman

Evelyn Brawley Hardiman, 81, of Norwood and West Roxbury, passed away surrounded by family on October 28, 2025 after a long journey with Alzheimer's Disease.  Born on June 16, 1944, she was the daughter of the late J. Robert “Bo” and Cleo (Fisher) Brawley. 

Evie lived a life grounded in faith, hope and love.  She was an extraordinary mother, a loving grandmother, a kind friend and a dedicated teacher.  Evie was a graduate of Notre Dame Academy (NDA), Roxbury (now Hingham) and Emmanuel College, Boston where she made many lasting and cherished friendships.  She proudly shared stories of her time playing basketball for NDA where she was elected “MVP” and was so happy to reunite with many of her classmates from NDA at their 50th reunion.  She grew up in St. Theresa’s Parish, West Roxbury and was a parishioner at St. Catherine’s, Nowood, for many years.  She shared fond memories of her time playing on Pomfret Street with the many large families surrounding her family home.

Evie was the proud mother of Ed Hardiman, Ph.D. and Nancy Hardiman Drew, M.D.. She was widowed at the age of 34. She put her all into raising her kids.  She showered Ed and Nancy with love.  She attended every swim meet and basketball game, even scrimmages where she was the only and loudest fan.  She was their biggest cheerleader.  Despite the challenges of being a single mom she was always present, loving and caring. Budget cuts required her to leave teaching and go back to school where she trained to be a medical technologist.  She balanced caring for her kids and school work, achieving a 4.0 GPA.  She led by example, teaching us at a young age that anything is possible with the support of friends and family and hard work.

After time as a Medical Technologist at the former Norwood Hospital, Evie returned to her true vocation, teaching, at Norwood High School.  She loved biology and chemistry and put all her effort into supporting her students.  She was a model teacher and a tremendous colleague.  She was invested in her students’ success.

Evie loved the outdoors, especially the beaches of Brewster and mountains of New England.  She hiked many trails, cross country skied in the winter and enjoyed travelling with family and friends.  She enjoyed photography and crafts.  Evie’s greatest joys came from being with family.  Whether it was road trips out west with Nancy, decorating Christmas cookies with her grandchildren, baking her famous “mimi rolls” or back yard cookouts, she revelled in being with her kids, grandchildren and siblings.

Evie’s greatest joys came when Ed married Kara and Nancy married Del.  She loved her daughter in law and son in law like her own and the marriages of her kids brought her great joy.  Evie’s joy increased exponentially with the birth of her grandchildren.  Eddie Hardiman, Katelyn Drew, Matt Hardiman, Molly Drew, Julia Hardiman, Dylan Drew and Owen Hardiman brought her immense happiness.  She embraced any opportunity to spend family time at Crosby Beach in Brewster, competing in intense basketball games, going on quiet hikes through the woods and enjoying ice cream.  She loved being “Mimi.”    She enjoyed being a fan at their games, whenever possible, celebrating their successes and being there when things did not go well.

Throughout her 81 years Evie brought joy to all she met.  Even when Alzheimer’s stole her memory she was always happy to receive visitors and to hear good news.  She never lost her sense of humor.  She was a good friend to her fellow residents at Penniman Hill.  Evie emanated love, care and support. 

Evie never focused on the challenges she experienced in life, she showed resilience, love and hard work in all she achieved.  She lived by her favorite quote “It is what it is, but it becomes what you make it”  Evie’s presence will be deeply missed.  Her family and grandchildren will carry on her legacy of faith, hope, determination and love.  Evie was brave, courageous, kind, loving and filled with faith.

Evie was predeceased by her husband Willam, and is survived by her son Ed Hardiman and his wife Kara (Danvers), and their children Eddie, Matt, Julia and Owen, and her daughter Nancy Hardiman Drew, and her husband Del (Hingham), and their children Katelyn, Molly and Dylan, her late brother Bob Brawley and his late wife Joan, her sisters Peggy Brawley (Lexington, MA), Jackie Sullivan (Brighton, MA) and her late husband Jerry,  and Mary “Malo” Hatch and her husband Rod (Embden, ME).

Funeral from The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury on Friday November 7, at 9:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Theresa of Avila Church, West Roxbury at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours in the funeral home on Thursday November 6, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Interment Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Evie Brawley Hardiman to the Alzheimer's Association of New England alz.org/give,  and Norwell VNA and Hospice.        http://weblink.donorperfect.com/NVNAandHospice