Hardy, the widow of the club's kitman Stan, received her award at a special 'heritage lunch' at the George Hotel in Huddersfield over the weekend.
The pair were in charge of Fax's bootroom from 1978, but have strong links to the club stretching back into the 1950s.
She shared the stage with Sky's former Great Britain hooker Mike Stephenson and another retired forward turned TV commentator, Ray French, who both received the same honour.
"Hilda is a very special example of the kind of volunteers that all clubs rely on," said Steele.
"She has taken on the hardest jobs at the club for longer than anyone would have expected.
"She is a second mother to all the players and I think everyone at Halifax loves her to bits.
"It's very difficult to think of anyone who would deserve this kind of recognition more than she does."
Hardy said she was "very humbled" by the prize, and promptly dedicated it to the memory of her late husband, who died in 2006, aged 74.
Hundreds of mourners, including players spanning several generations, turned out for his funeral.
"This is for Stanley and me, not just me," she said.
"Because of Stan I had such a wonderful, lovely life and an opportunity to meet so many brilliant people.
"Rugby league has been our life and I would not have wanted it any other way."