Louise A. Hartman, 78, of Pittsburgh died Wednesday following a brief illness.

She was the daughter of William A. and Katherine Killian Hartman of Butler.

An accomplished career woman, she began in television and radio in Washington, D.C., before devoting the remainder of her career to the food industry, working on product development, food styling and public relations in positions with General Foods and Dole Pineapple. After living in Washington, D.C., she lived in New York City, Palo Alto, Calif., and Westchester County, N.Y., before retiring in Pittsburgh in 1992. She also did a series of holiday baking shows on KQV radio for a number of years.

Miss Hartman was an active supporter of arts and civic organizations in Pittsburgh, often volunteering in event planning for Phipps Conservatory, where she served on the board; the Pittsburgh Opera Society; the Pittsburgh Symphony Association; and the Heinz History Center. She was a member of the Twentieth Century Club and past president of the Hillcrest Garden Club.

Though she never married, she was a loving and special aunt to 25 nieces and nephews. She was as proud of each of them as they were of her, and she cherished her visits to Butler to enjoy being in the middle of the usual chaos of large family gatherings.

Surviving are three sisters, Elizabeth Keller of Canton, Ohio, and Ann O'Sullivan and Mrs.Raymond (Sheila) Stehle, all of Butler; a brother, Philip Hartman of Cleveland; and a number of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and James; and two sisters, Margaret and Katherine.

<B>HARTMAN</B> — There will be no visitation for Louise A. Hartman, who died Wednesday, March 21, 2007. Her wishes were to have a memorial celebration at her family's next Thanksgiving gathering, a favorite time to her.Arrangements by the <B>Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home</B> and Crematory, Blawnox.Memorial contributions may be made to Carlow University, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15213.