Louise Hare

Sylvia “Louise” (Heckard) Hare, 77, of Etters, passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, while at UPMC Community Osteopathic, Colonial Park. The daughter of the late Harrison Leroy Heckard and Betty D.L. (Zang) Heckard, she was born on September 19, 1944 in Harrisburg.

A graduate of Susquenita High School, Duncannon, Louise was born and raised in Harrisburg. She and her sweetheart, Larry, got married young and would start a family on the East Shore before moving to Etters in the early 1970s. Larry started his own body shop from the house, and although his name was on the sign, Louise was an integral part of the operation, handling taping duties and other peripheral tasks while he painted and did the touch up work. She wasn’t just a “stay at home mom,” she worked hard at the family business, kept the household on track and made sure her children had what they needed – always. She was the best mother and grandmother ever, and her nurturing (and entertaining) way made her an honorary “Bemaw” to so many around her. She loved rooting for Larry when he raced at Silver Springs Speedway throughout the years, and being with her sisters made her happiest. She was a fantastic cook, a babysitter for the entire family, and she would spoil you with candy whenever possible. A die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, she loved nothing more than to call her grandson after games, praising the team after wins, or cussing them out after losses. It was her warmth, coupled with an acid tongue and a hilarious sense of humor, that will leave so many with awesome memories and stories for days. She will be greatly missed.

Surviving Louise are her three daughters, Patricia “Patty” Louise Hare of Etters, Jane Elizabeth Ragsdale (husband, John) of Harrisburg, and Linda Kay Hare of New Cumberland; a son, Larry Leroy Hare, Jr. (wife, Tashia) of Etters; twelve grandchildren, Candice Snyder, Tim Hare (wife, Julie), Chris Hare, Bryan Hare, Amber Tibbens, Ashley Tibbens, Johnathon Ragsdale, Jordan Ragsdale, Larry Leroy Hare III (wife, Emily), Jaden Hare, Jase Hare, and Joel Hare; sixteen great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty Signor, Annie Pennebaker, Sandra Lutz, Harrison Heckard, Harvey Demmy; many cousins, and even more nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Larry Leroy Hare; and sisters and brother, Linda Head, Donna Heckard-Signor, Harriet Beistline and Paul Demmy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3PM on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Goldsboro Fireman’s Club, 100 Railroad St., Goldsboro, PA 17319.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Louise’s name to Penn State Cancer Institute. Checks may be made out to “Penn State University,” and mailed to Office of University Development, 1249 Cocoa Avenue, Suite 115, PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033.