Ellen Hardy

Ellen S. Hardy of Holland, PA died peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving and devoted family on Friday, December 20, 2024. She was 64. Born in Philadelphia, PA she was the daughter of the late William and Joan Seiberlich (Rusnack) and sister to the late Joan C. Simmons.
Ellen was a graduate of Chestnut Hill College with a degree in Biology and continued her education at Thomas Jefferson University in Occupational Therapy. She began her career in Occupational Therapy at Bryn Mawr Hospital, and later worked at St. Mary Medical Center, first as a staff member and then as department supervisor. Later, desiring a more flexible work-life balance, she transitioned to working in Occupational Therapy at St. Mary Home Health Care and Frankford Hospital Home Health Care.
Ellen had a gift for helping and caring for people, whether it be her patients or her family. She was one of a kind and was very special to many people. She could light up a room with just her smile. She had a loving, caring heart, and her generous nature showed through her volunteer efforts for those less fortunate. She was a longtime volunteer member for a group who prepared and delivered monthly meals to feed individuals experiencing homelessness at Old First Church in Philadelphia, and was also a volunteer for the organization Be My Eyes. Ellen was also very active taking long walks daily with her neighbor, no matter the weather, so they could discuss the ups and downs of the day and what was happening in their lives. She also had quite the green thumb, tending to her perennial garden and watching for the hummingbirds that would appear in her flower beds. Along with her gardening expertise, she also had a talent for baking. Her friends and family enjoyed the many sweet treats she would bake, especially birthday cakes. Ellen enjoyed going to Ocean City, NJ multiple times per year as well as trips to the Outer Banks in North Carolina for family vacations. She also enjoyed travelling with her family to different parts of the world, including neighboring Canada and Mexico as well as numerous parts of Europe. In addition, she experienced many of America's national parks, cities, and sights with her family. However, what Ellen really loved was simply having dinner with family and friends, especially during her favorite time of the year - Christmas, when she looked forward to hosting the annual family Christmas party.
Ellen met her beloved husband James "Jim" Hardy of 36 years on a blind date set up by a mutual friend when they both worked part time at the Pathmark supermarket in Bristol, PA. In addition to her husband she is also survived by her loving children Caroline E. Hardy of Bethlehem, PA and Alexander "Alex" J. Hardy of Tampa, FL. Ellen is also survived by her two brothers William C. Seiberlich (Theresa) and Joseph A. Seiberlich (Colleen), her four sisters Ann E. Seiberlich, Alice J. Gaibler (Richard), Elizabeth A. Duffy (Kevin), and Dolores L. Rossman (Richard), her brother-in-law Walter Simmons, her step-mother, Dolores Seiberlich, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
Ellen's family will receive friends on Thursday, January 9, 2025 starting at 10:00 am prior to her Funeral Mass at 12 Noon at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Road Holland, PA 18966. Her interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made in Ellen's name to Chestnut Hill College, the Northampton Township Library, and St. Bede the Venerable.