Dee Hardison

Resident and former Mayor of the City of Torrance, Delores (Dee) Hardison died September 30, 2017 at the age of 79. Born Delores June Grinton on January 22, 1938 in Bellingham, Washington to Walter James Grinton and June Lenora Arntzen, Dee was the eldest daughter of nine children. Dee met her husband to be, Lowell, while attending college and the couple married on June 18, 1960. Soon after moving to Torrance, California, Dee began her career in politics, first on the Torrance Parks and Recreation Commission and later on the Planning Commission. Dee was then elected to two terms on the Torrance City Council, serving from 1986-1994. When Torrance Mayor Katy Geissert left office, Dee followed, serving as Mayor from 1994–2002. Dee continued teaching for the Torrance Unified School District throughout her years in office. As an educator from 1970–1996, she was a substitute teacher, middle school teacher, and Administrator, earning Master’s Degrees in Physical Education and Special Education. Dee received many recognitions for her service, including the Jared Sidney Torrance Award; the Hanley Hardison Research Center at Harbor UCLA Medical Center and the Dee Hardison Sports Center at Wilson Park were named for her. She was an active member of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church. Dee is survived by her husband of 57 years, Lowell; her sons, Mark and Brad; daughter-in-law Gretchen and son-in-law Nicolas; grandchildren Alisa and Ryan; brother William Grinton and sister Darlene Grinton; and numerous other loving family members and close friends. Viewing will be at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, 5 – 9 pm Thursday, October 12. Memorial service will be 9:30 am Friday, October 13 at St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, followed by a private burial. Donations may be made to the Dee Hardison Scholarship Fund, Torrance Education Foundation, at www.torranceeducationfoundation.org .