Allegheny Township resident remembered as hard-working, talented

Sue Hartford was constantly working on something.

Her husband, Kevin Hartford, said she continued walking their dog regularly, even when she was wearing a chemo pump.

She kept playing tennis and golf until last summer.

She completed her final audio project for a client last Jan. 1, before going to the hospital the next day.

“She and I have been married for 33 years, and I’m still trying to figure it out,” Kevin said. “She was just amazing. I mean, her mind could just manage so many different things.”

Sue Hartford, 65, died in her home Sunday evening, Jan. 5, 2020, after four years of battling colon cancer. She is survived by her husband, Kevin, and two sons, Matt and Christian Hartford. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Thursday at St. Margaret Mary Church in Lower Burrell.

Sue was an active resident of Allegheny Township for 28 years — participating in St. Margaret Mary’s bell choir, serving on the Kiski Area School Board and also on the board for the YMCA in New Kensington.

Hartford led an exciting career in audio production. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music, she accepted a job in Pittsburgh at a recording studio, where she wrote jingles and produced radio and TV ads. She later became the audio director for Production Masters Inc., where she worked with major corporations, sports teams and advertising firms to make commercials, marketing campaigns and corporate videos.

In 2012, Hartford established her own company, Sue Hartford Sound, and finished her career working from home.

Anita Harnish, a freelance video producer who met Hartford while she was working in Pittsburgh, said Sue was an inspiration, a powerhouse and “a badass in the best way.” Hartford was working a job that didn’t include many women, the technical side of production.

“Sue set the standard,” Harnish said. “She was just exceptional in her work, and in her tone — how she gave feedback, directed an editing session, or how she scored music or added her own input.”

Hartford was honored with numerous Pittsburgh Advertising Awards, National Advertising Awards and two Clios.

Hartford’s family remembers her as a “Type A” personality — a relentlessly talented musician who was able to balance a demanding, successful career while also dedicating herself to family life.

Christian, the Hartfords’ young son, described her as “well-rounded.” She could listen to a song, memorize it and immediately perform the piece on the piano. Moments later, she would go outside to play football and wrestle with her sons. Both parents were active supporters of their sons when they played football at Wake Forest University.

“She was not just the best mom, but the mom that I needed to grow and develop into who I am today,” Christian said.

She danced with Matt, her eldest son, at his engagement party when they realized she wouldn’t live long enough to see his wedding this coming July .

Matt said his mother never really viewed her musical abilities as work. For her, audio engineering and music were a way to be creative while making a contribution to the world. That’s why she balanced producing for high-profile clients like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins and Pennsylvania State University — and then made the music for her sons’ football highlight videos.

Matt said what has given him peace over his mother’s death is knowing she was able to accomplish so much and was able to share so many special moments with her family.

“She made it to the finish line,” he said. “She ran her race and she finished victorious.”