Alicia Schober Hardell, longtime resident of Rockwood Lane and Putnam Park, died on March 29 at The Nathaniel Witherell. She was 93.
Born in Cuba on August 6, 1927, she spent her childhood in Latin America, where her father was stationed as a German diplomat. From this international upbringing came fluency in multiple languages, and a lifelong love of travel, culture, and people.
After moving to Greenwich in the 1960s, she became an active participant in community life. As a longtime volunteer at Greenwich Hospital, her favorite duty was delivering flowers to new mothers. As a founding member of the Round Hill Community Church, she looked forward to helping with the annual Tod’s Point picnic for children from Harlem. She was a member of the Alliance Francaise, and enjoyed attending Greenwich Symphony performances and the May Gardener’s Market with her dear friend, Justine Tully.
She belonged to the Greenwich Country Club for over 50 years, and cherished her summer days spent by the pool. From her familiar table in the shade, she sat day after day, summer after summer, reading French novels, National Geographic, and the New York Times; all while keenly watching generations of children grow up.
As the pool’s most loyal patron, she was much loved by generations of lifeguards, who kept her supplied with towels, water, mint chocolate chip ice cream, conversation, and ensured that her August birthday was always celebrated in style.
When the pool season ended, she spent winters traveling to all parts of the world, and attending cultural events in New York. She spent every Christmas and New Year in Curacao until recently, and enjoyed many visits to Japan with her dear friend, J. Sakamoto.
She was predeceased by three husbands, whose engagement rings she wore throughout her life, and is survived by countless friends and acquaintances in Greenwich and around the world.