Erin Salzer Hanna

Thursday, April 25th, 2024, the living world was forced to say goodbye to Erin Salzer Hanna, one of the kindest, friendliest souls to ever walk among us.

Erin was born August 11, 1975 into a life filled with beauty and joy and that’s what we will remember most about her. The eldest in a family replete with siblings she set herself apart from the very start. An artist from a young age, she accomplished much; in the academic realm graduating from Carnegie Melon with a degree in Fine Art, she went on to a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from University of Pennsylvania to share her beautiful, idyllic visions with the public. She illustrated several travel and storybooks, did commercial graphic design, and peppered her loved ones’ homes with tokens of her artistic vision. Her spirit was free as it should be, especially in gardens; Her love of nature and life itself expressed throughout her countless landscape designs implemented across the country in private and public gardens, the Huntsville Botanical Garden, and the Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden of Pittsburgh.

Erin’s way of life brought meaning to the adage that friends are family. To know Erin was to love her and friends all across this continent loved her. Her ability to connect with people through true caring and irresistible charisma was a gift to everyone that was blessed to know her.

She was funny. Her sense of humor carried her well through her hard times and helped her loved ones carry her too. Even on her worst days she could find humor in humanity and a reason to laugh; for this we are so grateful.

Mostly, to her family, Erin was a superstar: A cherished daughter, phenomenal mother, awesome big sister, and cool aunt. She is survived by her parents; Ralph and Catherine Salzer; her sons Henry and Charles Hanna; and her younger siblings with their families. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, her paternal grandfather, and countless fellow cancer fighters. In her honor we request that you listen to good music, eat good food, and do something creative to make your corner of the world a little better.

Services to be held at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Friday May 10th at 10:30 am.