Faye A. (Hardesty) Geary

Faye A. (Hardesty) Geary, 90, of Ligonier formally a lifelong resident of Millwood, died on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Independence Health System Latrobe Hospital. She was born November 24, 1933 in Delmont, PA, a daughter of late William and Edna (Chesler) Hardesty. Faye always attended church. When she was younger she was a member of the Derry Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school. She was raised Presbyterian. Later she joined the Southern Baptist Church in Kingston where she went for decades and was an active member there as well. After her husband died she started going to the little church in Grey Station where Jim Henigin was a minister. She was lifelong friends with Jim's wife Ruthie's family. She was always an avid sports fan, enjoyed bingo and, crafts. In her high school yearbook they wrote about her passion for baseball and what a devoted Pirates fan she was, attending as many of their home games as possible. She graduated from Greensburg High school in 1952. She became a big Steelers fan, decorating the house in black and gold during football season and she loved golf and watching golf on the television. Faye and her sister-in-law Dolores were avid antique and yard sale shoppers. Particularly for things like Depression glass and fine bone china. Besides her parents, Faye was preceded in death by her husband Hugh J. Geary Jr. in1986; one son Scott J. Geary; two brothers William and Louis Hardesty; three sisters LaNesta Hardesty, Marianne Stine, and Mildred DeFrances. Faye is survived by one daughter Susan C. Barrett and husband Martin of West Grove PA; one brother Warren E. Hardesty and wife Dolores of Greensburg; one brother-in-law Harry DeFrances; eight grandchildren Kathryn Winter, Jacqueline Chevalier, Samuel Geary, Christopher Barrett, Shannon Hawkins, Martin Barrett, Thomas Barrett, and Rachel Geary; twelve great grandchildren and one on the way; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Family will receive friends for Faye’s Life Celebration 9-11AM Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the Matthew X. Merlin Funeral Home, Inc. 529 N. Chestnut St. Derry, PA 724-694-8331. A funeral service will follow at 11AM in the funeral home with the Rev. James Henigin officiating. Interment will be in the Coles Cemetery, Derry. Online condolences may be made to www.merlinfuneralhome.com.

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