Sarah Jane Hardesty

Sarah Jane Hardesty was born September 14, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Egbert Mayo Hardesty, Jr. and Margaret Eileen Hardesty. She died on August 25, 2025. From an early age, she showed great musical talent, which blossomed into a distinguished career as a professional violinist. She was a longtime member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, performing with the ensemble for more than 40 years.

After retiring from the Symphony, Sarah continued to share her love of music in more intimate settings, including at least one private performance with friends in a home concert. She had a deep appreciation for the arts and was an avid supporter of the arts and cultural events in Dallas, attending concerts, exhibitions, and performances whenever she could. She was a member of several art museums including the Kimball Art Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Houston Museum of Art and the Meadows Museum (at SMU). She was an avid reader and a member of the local orchid society, reflecting her love of nature and beauty. She traveled around the country going to orchid shows and entering their contests and had a collection of unusual orchids. She won numerous awards for her orchids through the Greater North Texas Orchid Society.

Sarah enjoyed travel throughout Europe and other parts of the world and often captured her journeys through photography. One friend she traveled with said she had almost a photographic memory. After reading the travel books, she threw them away and remembered all the details of everywhere she wanted to visit. Each year she transformed her photos into Christmas cards that she sent to friends, a tradition many eagerly awaited. She also loved good food, wine, and conversation, often meeting friends to try new restaurants in Dallas, and she developed lasting friendships with those she dined with regularly. She was a member of the American Institute of Wine and Food for many years.

In addition to her love of the arts, Sarah adored her animals. Over the years, she was dedicated to her show dogs and later her beloved four-legged companions who remained constant friends in her home. She won numerous awards through The American Kennel Club and The Canadian Kennel Club.

Sarah is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert "Bob" Hardesty. She is survived by cousins Dona "Suzy" Hardesty, Mary M. Wiese, Ed T. Porras, David M Porras, and Joseph L. Porras, of Missouri along with many friends who will remember her warmth, creativity, and unique spirit.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Weston Historical Museum, or to the Kimball Art Museum.

The family will have a private service in Kansas City.