I grew up in Shaler Township and graduated from Shaler Area High School. I attended Duquesne University, thinking I would become a French teacher, but soon realized I wanted to join the funeral service industry. As the daughter of a funeral director, I was very comfortable with death. (My brothers and I played hide and seek among caskets!)
After I graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, I went on to do my internship at McDonald-Linn Funeral Home in Avalon, where I stayed as a licensee until joining my dad, James, at Healy-Hahn Funeral Properties. I worked with my father until 2012, when I started my own business, Hahn Funeral Home & Cremation Services. I am a core member of Pittsburgh Community Deathcare, and president of Green Burial Pittsburgh, a non-profit that promotes environmentally friendly burial options. I like to help people find alternative ways to celebrate their loved ones’ passing.
Currently, I live in Shaler with my husband, Justin Renda, our twin boys, Colin and Jacob, and my stepdaughter, Emalee. I am very active in the Millvale community, where I serve as president of the Millvale Community Development Corporation. I also belong to Christ Lutheran Church in Millvale and am very involved with our monthly free Community Table dinners.