Debbie Melone Hanes

Debbie Melone Hanes, 68, of Hickory, formerly of Pittsburgh, died Saturday, September 14, 2024. She was born June 17, 1956, a daughter of Joanne Seibel Melone and the late Floyd C. Melone of Washington. Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her husband, Robert K. "Bob" Hanes; two bonus daughters, Tammy Hanes Smith and Jody Hanes Charneicki (along with husband Brian); a sister, Christy Melone Paddick; and four nieces, Lauren Paddick, Jordan Paddick, Eden Melone and Isabella "Bella" Hudgkin, who made her home with Debbie and Bob. Ms. Hanes was preceded in death by a sister, Lisa Anne Melone; and her brother, Mark Melone. She attended South Hills Bible Chapel and was previously a member of Cecil Alliance Church. Ms. Hanes earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Geneva College and received the Distinguished Service Award from Geneva as an alumna. She also earned a Master's degree in Communications from Duquesne University. Her career included positions in marketing communications, and she wrote for and promoted a variety of clients. In 1993, she co-founded Miller-Melone Communication and Design along with her business partner and friend, Mary-Peg Miller. She later founded Melone Marketing Communications and worked as an adjunct professor at Waynesburg College and Geneva College. Ms. Hanes often laughed that she was the only one in her immediate family never to have won an athletic trophy and instead pointed to the award pen set she received as a participant in the Washington County Spelling Bee in 1968, representing Patten School. Her mother spent endless hours testing Debbie on the official spelling bee word list, which likely inspired Debbie's interest in language, leading her to a career that she enjoyed for many years. Services will be held at a later date. All arrangements were entrusted to Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care.