Obituary

Karen Elizabeth (Burgess) Hardy, 80, of Daugherty Township passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 in the Good Samaritan Hospice, Brighton Township.

Born December 13, 1940 in Rochester, she was the youngest daughter of the late Raymond Carl Burgess and Mary Allein Davis of Aliquippa.  Karen was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Joseph Edward Hardy, whom she married on August 9, 1958 in Wexford, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Other than her parents and husband, Karen was preceded in death by five brothers:  Ray Lee Burgess of East Hempfield Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; William Ralph “Bill” Burgess of Aliquippa; Robert David “Butch” Burgess of Mount Holly Springs, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; John Richard of New Sewickley Township, and James Roy “Murph” Burgess of Industry; and a sister, Edith Allein “Sis” Strosnider of North Sewickley Township.

Family activities were immensely important to Karen, who rarely missed an opportunity to attend her children’s and grandchildren’s sports and other events.  She greatly enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and never failed to make each and every one of them feel special, loved, and appreciated.  She went out of her way to prepare magnificent and extravagant holiday meals for her family for New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and gladly opened her home for hundreds of neighborhood and family get-togethers over the years.  The sports games, family reunions, community picnics, Christmas-cookie baking events, sled-riding gatherings, graduation parties, and weddings she so kindheartedly and graciously hosted over the years are still very fondly remembered by hundreds of neighbors and family members that Karen warmly welcomed to her home.  The selfless, simple, and sincere way Karen made her friends and family feel her love and respect for them will be treasured by all she touched.

Karen is survived by her children:  Joseph Kirk Hardy, Brian Thomas Hardy, Susan Eileen (Noe’) Scherer, and Janet Lynne Hardy-Miklos; 12 grandchildren, including:  Kevin Robert Hardy, Michelle Colleen Hardy, Andrew Thomas (Hollie) Hardy, Amber Renee’ Hardy (Jared) Joyner, Katelyn Noel Hardy (Chris) Flynn, Caleb John (Shelby) Hardy, Jessica Eileen Scherer Johnson, Noe’ Jacob Scherer, Molly Karen Scherer (Mike) Frasso, Rachel Suzanne (Kevin Reeves) Scherer, Duncan Bernard Miklos, and Lila Elizabeth Miklos; 16 great-grandchildren, including:  Landon, Brayden, Carson, Ada Beth, Nolan, Jonah, Murphy, Savannah, Jared, Wyatt, McKinlee, Noah, Aletheia, Everett, Kyleigh, and Annabelle (Kristin); brothers:  George Edward “Ned” Burgess and Donald Ralph “Pete” (Mark Neubauer) Burgess; sister, Mary Louise Burgess (Jack) Vaughn; sister-in-law, Janet Mae Hardy Z’Graggen; and 17 nieces and nephews.

Per Karen’s wishes, there will be no services.  All arrangements were handled by the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, www.gabauerfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Karen’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105; https://www.stjude.org/donate.