I was surprised and saddened when I received Jay’s email about Anne’s passing. In recent years I’ve stopped by the office in Santa Maria to see Jay but missed seeing Anne. Last summer as I drove from Santa Barbara to the Bay Area, it worked out to meet Jay, Anne, and Jared after church then go to lunch with them.
We had a great time reminiscing about the early days at Hardy Media as well as catching up on news about family and friends. Anne was gracious, humorous and still had that sparkle about her. I’m thankful that I saw her and Jay together that weekend.
I first met Anne in Santa Barbara shortly after Jay and I started Hardy Media. She was good natured, funloving, affectionate, caring, had a booming laugh, and an opinion on every topic. Jay was stoic, analytical, shy, with a very dry sense of humor.
Anne may have been one of the few people that Jay allowed to kid him. She was relentless in how she lovingly poked fun at him to get a reaction, which Jay took in stride. In return, he was patient, thoughtful, and complemented Anne’s personality. However what stood out most to me was her love and care for Jay.
I only knew Anne briefly before she and Jay married. Post wedding, she just seemed so happy being together with him. I knew Jay for several years before he met Anne and noticed a change in him after they wed. He seemed more settled and self-assured.
I left Hardy Media in December of 1983 after being Jay’s business partner for nearly 3 years. It was difficult to leave the fledgling business at that time. I worried about what the future would hold for Jay and Hardy Media.
In hindsight, I shouldn’t have worried. Anne became Jay’s best support not only in life but in his work. She made many contributions to the business. But I think her unwavering belief in Jay strengthened him to persevere through many rough patches as he built the company.
I will miss Anne. I’ll miss her smile, her hearty laugh, and her kindness. And I’ll miss watching her fun interactions with Jay. But I’m thankful that she is without pain in the presence of our savior, Jesus Christ. And one day I’ll meet her again.