Betty “Dee” Jean Brock Hardes, 78, of Issaquah, Washington, formerly of Port Allegany, PA, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024 after an extended illness.

Dee was born on November 16, 1945 in Buffalo, NY to Ronald Brock and Ruth Scott Brock, and grew up on Crandall Hill in Potter County, PA. Dee attended Coudersport High School then earned a Bachelor of Science in Library Science and English Education along with her Master of Science in Library Science from Clarion University.

Dee served as a Research Librarian at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, then spent 38 years as the school librarian at Smethport Area High School in Smethport, PA before retiring in 2003.

In 1970, Dee married Gary Hardes, who survives. Along with her husband, Dee is survived by two daughters, MaryKathryn “Kat” Kress of Grass Valley, CA and Anne (Bryce) Kerker of Issaquah, WA, her grandson Garrison Kress, and beloved dog Tippy. She is also survived by her brother William (Pearl) Brock of Coudersport, PA and sister Joan (Grant) Hagan of St Marys, PA, and sisters-in-law Carol Higley of Portville, NY and Deanna Taylor of Shinglehouse, PA. Dee was a much-beloved aunt and leaves behind many special nieces and nephews who she adored.

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, sister Barbara Duell, brother Robert Brock, and sister-in-law Suzanne Brock.

Dee’s love of reading and the community led to her serving on the board of the S.W. Smith Library for years, where she was instrumental in procurement of the first bookmobile. She also played the organ and sang in the choir at multiple churches, including St. Mary’s Church of Sartwell, PA and St. Raphael’s of Eldred, PA, where she was a longtime member. Many Mass services, weddings, baptisms, and funerals were accompanied by her music.

After spending most of their lives living in the Port Allegany area, Dee and Gary relocated to Washington State in 2013 for her health and to be closer to their children.

Known for her kind and gentle demeanor, Dee had a huge heart for people and animals alike. Less obvious was her sense of adventure, demonstrated when she traded her first car for a motorcycle, then many years later when in her 60’s she did a solo driving trip across the country to visit family and friends! She was always up for travel and visited Alaska, England, Belize, and many places across the US.

A celebration of life will be held in the Port Allegany area at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Dee’s honor to be made to SW Smith Library in Port Allegany, PA or your local library, Donate Life America, or the animal rescue of your choice. Dee would not have lived as long without the kindness of an organ donor and their family as well as many, many blood donors, and her family encourages all who can to donate blood and elect to be an organ donor in her honor.