Andrea M. Hardner

Andrea Mary (Salzello) Hardner, 83, of Erie, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Monday, August 11, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born on March 6, 1942, Andrea was the beloved daughter of the late Anna Lisa (Sabetti) and Andrew Salzello.

Nine days after her graduation from Academy high school, Andrea married her lifelong partner, Timothy D. Hardner. Together they raised a beautiful, loving, and devoted family of three children.

Andrea enjoyed making and painting ceramic pieces that she gifted to her family. She loved her coffee and her chocolate - in no particular order. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Andrea was extremely generous in both love and resources, always ready to give freely her time, her heart, and her means. Her greatest joy was helping her children and grandchildren in any way needed, offering steadfast support and unwavering care throughout their lives.

Above all, Andrea cherished her family. She was a proud member of a close-knit and large Italian family. She found joy in every gathering, large or small, and created a home filled with love, laughter, and tradition. Holidays, Sunday family dinners, Saturday Night Pizza, and her famous "railroad" meatball sandwiches were loved by all. Her strength, kindness, and unwavering devotion will be remembered and carried on by all who knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend.

Andrea is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Timothy D. Hardner; her three children Cameo Harris, Michael Hardner (Dawn), and Eric Hardner (Margaret); her loving sister Geraldine Stafford; and her four grandchildren Timothy (Kara), Andrew (Heidi), DevinMarie (Joshua), and Autumn (Andrew). Known affectionately as "GiGi," Andrea treasured her role as great-grandmother to Eric, Layna, Darren, Jace, Harper, Hudson, Charlotte, and Eleanor; She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous members of her extended family.

In addition to her beloved parents, Andrea was preceded in death by her sister Brenda Pundt, two brothers-in-law: Richard Pundt and David Stafford, and nephew Paul Twidle.

Friends and family may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, St., on Thursday, August 14th, 2025, from 10AM until the time of the Service there at 11:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Joseph Bread of Life Church, 147 W 24th St, at 12PM.

Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ANNA Shelter 1555 E 10th St, Erie, PA 16511. Andrea always had a soft spot for animals in need.