Ila Mae Hardaway: Beloved Wife, Mother, and Grandmother Who Cherished Children and Creativity

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Ila Mae Hardaway
December 18, 1941 – July 12, 2025

Ila Mae Hardaway, beloved wife of Roger Hardaway, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Saturday July 12th, 2025, exactly 1 month from dad and mom’s 66th Wedding Anniversary. Ila was born December 18th,1941 in Douglas, Wyoming to Eugene and Susie Turner. Ila grew up in numerous states and towns across the Western US due to her dad’s construction jobs. The family settled for short time in Fortuna, CA where she met and married Roger June 12th, 1959. Ila is survived by 4 of her 5 children, Vicki (Steve) Gibney, Lisa Hider, Kevin Hardaway and Jenny Davis. Jeff Hardaway her son died in December 2006. She is survived by 13 grandchildren, Amber, Justin, Trevor, Joshua Gibney, Jessica, Joshua, Matt, Thomas (Montel, Hider), Darren Hardaway, Ashlynn Owens, Danielle and Jacob Davis and Hailee Davis-Hardaway. Jeff’s only child Autumn, passed away in 1987. Ila has 20 great-grandchildren all of whom adorned her immensely. She is survived by her sister Shirley Turner of Vallejo, her children Heather, Melissa and Mike. Her brother Darrell and (Evelyn) Turner of Bakersfield. Sister-in-law Michelle Turner of Oakley, her children Colleen, Gina and Bobbi-Gene. Her brother Jim Turner died in 2019.

Ila worked as a day care provider for many years. She loved kids and really enjoyed watching them learn to read, write and make lots of pictures with paints, crayons and paper mache. She was an excellent seamstress and made many beautiful dresses, prom dresses, baptism gowns and Halloween costumes for many. She sewed 100’s of Barbie clothes. Later in life she worked at Joann’s Fabrics and enjoyed that a lot. Most of all mom was the calming voice to many during their turbulent teenage years.

Mom died from complications of Scleroderma complicated by CREST syndrome. She lived a full and satisfying life with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The Hardaway, Gibney, Montel, Hider, Davis and Turner families would like to express sincere gratitude to Hospice of Humboldt and Ida Mae Emmerson House for the excellent care and support offered to Ila and the families.

In Lieu of flowers the families request donations made to Ida Mae Emmerson House so others may enjoy this peaceful place. She loved that she got to go outside and hear the birds sing again.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date when all of the families can be together to celebrate this amazing woman.