H. Jane Richards

H. Jane Richards, 92, of Derry passed away on April 16, 2025 in Latrobe, PA. The daughter of Frank and Tillie Howard, she was born on June 6, 1932 in Blacklick Township (Indiana County, PA) She graduated from Blairsville High School and began working at Torrance State Hospital until her marriage to Paul Richards on September 7, 1956. She was a member of Bethany Church in Latrobe.

She was well known for the love of her family and being of service to others. Her kitchen was the favorite room of her house. It would not be unusual to arrive at her house at 8 AM to find a batch of cookies cooling on the table or a batch of elderberry jelly being made. She enjoyed making the garden with her late husband and after his passing, she continued her work in various roles. Most importantly she processed the harvest into spaghetti sauce, jelly, pickled beets, sauerkraut, etc.

Surviving are a daughter, Paula Richards of Latrobe, son Paul and wife Bobbie of Derry; grandchildren, Benjamin Richards and his wife Jessica, and Melissa and her husband Colton Kalmar; great granddaughters, Natalie, Caroline, and Abigail; sister, Bertha Chaplin and sister-in-law, Carol Howard, both of Indiana; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 52 years, Paul A Richards on April 13, 2009 and her brothers Bill, Bob, and Ernie.

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11 AM with Pastor Corben Russell officiating.

Interment will be in the Coles Cemetery, Derry, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made in Hazel’s memory to Bethany Church, 2415 Laveen St., Latrobe, PA 15650.