Hanlon

With broken hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of Kelly Denise Burford Hanlon, 57, of Valencia, on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

She was born in McCandless Township, on Dec. 10, 1968, to Dennis and Nancy Burford, of Adams Township.

Kelly married her Mars classmate and best friend, Brian K. Hanlon, on Sept. 25, 1999. They would have celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary this month. Together, they raised two daughters, Olivia Hanlon, of Detroit, and Ella Hanlon, of Zelienople. Kelly is survived by her husband; her mother-in-law, Peg Hanlon; her brothers-in-law, Chris Hanlon and his wife, Linda, and Jason Hanlon and his wife, Melissa; her parents; her brother, Chris Burford, and his wife, Barbara; and her sister, Kim Burford Geyer, and her husband, Bob. She was also cherished by her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kelly graduated from Mars High School in 1987. A three-sport athlete, she received the prestigious Maude Neithercoat Award as the class’s outstanding senior female athlete. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from West Virginia University in 1992, where she was active in her sorority, and later received a teaching degree from Slippery Rock University. While studying, Kelly taught at the American Embassy School in Mexico City.

After returning home, she taught in the Mars Area and Seneca Valley school districts. When public-school teaching positions were scarce in Pennsylvania in the early 1990s, she began training insurance agents at Allstate and later Farmers Insurance. She then transitioned to marketing and built a 30-year career in the insurance industry.

Kelly’s quick wit and lifelong gift for making others laugh will be deeply missed at family gatherings. Her favorite places to visit were Adams Township Park, the ocean, the hair salon and Baldinger’s candy store. Family meant everything to her. She traveled across the country to watch her daughters dance in college productions, national competitions and professional performances.

Proud of her Irish heritage, Kelly was also a devoted animal lover. She adored her dogs, Cookie, Willow, Teddy and Harper; and her cats, Emma and Aspen, and loved sharing their photos and memes with family. We believe the pets and loved ones who passed before her welcomed her with open arms at the Rainbow Bridge and the gates of heaven, where she is happy, healthy and held in Christ’s loving embrace.

HANLON — A private memorial service for the family of Kelly Denise Burford Hanlon, who died Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, was held at MCDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars.

In lieu of flowers, please send any checks in memory of Kelly Hanlon to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.

Condolences for the family may be placed at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.