Carmella F. Hardy, 95, of Dunbar, passed away, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born March 23, 1927 in Upper Tyrone Township, PA, to the late Joseph Cope and the late Lucy Mardis Cope.
Carmella enjoyed cooking, baking, embroidery, and doting on her many Dachshunds that she had over the years. She was a collector of many things, but in particular she was very proud of her tea pot collection, which she used for tea parties for neighborhood children.
She was awarded a Certificate in Theater Management from Duquesne University.
People were her passion and many will remember her in her longtime role as a movie theater and flea market manager at the Comet Drive In. It was there that she provided firm guidance mixed with loads of laughter to scores of young teens as they started their first jobs.
She was involved in her community. She was a member of the Fayette County MH/MR Advisory Board, where she was recognized for her years of service, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, where she freely gave of her time to talk one on one with those coping with mental illness and was an advocate for their care. She was a member of the Dunbar Historical Society, the VFW Auxiliary Post 21, Fayette Family Connection, Ladies of Charity, the Connellsville Red Hat Society and many other organizations and activities over the years.
She was a poet and enjoyed writing poetry in her later years. She is survived by her children, Carl Hardy, Stanley ‘Kevin’ Hardy (Diana Homer), Laurene Hardy (Rick Lepley); grandchildren, Kurtis L. Hardy (Rachel), Kourey R. Goodwin; special nieces and nephews; special friend, Pastor Robert Wrachford and family, and pup pups, Grace and Gus.
She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Donald E. Hardy; siblings, Elizabeth Agnes ‘Aggie’ Bryner, Charles ‘Bud’ Cope, Donald A. Cope, Evelyn Tishman, William ‘Bill’ G. Cope, Mary Catherine ‘Cutie’ Lincoln, and Robert ‘Bobby’ A. Cope.
Special thanks to her caregiver, Susie Baker; Fr. Julius Capongpongan; and Pam, Sandy, Laura, Pastor Lee Maley and others from Amedisys Hospice.
Friends will be received at Burhans-Crouse Funeral Home, 28 Connellsville St., Dunbar, Sunday, noon to 8PM.
Morning prayers Monday, at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., in St. Aloysius RC Church, Dunbar, with Fr. Paul Lisik as Celebrant.
Private entombment will be in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Dunbar Community Library, the Dunbar Historical Society or a charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.burhanscrousefuneralhome.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of CARMELLA F. (COPE) HARDY, please visit our floral store.