One of the highest-achieving athletes in Bradford history, Erin Nicole Hannon, 38, of 42 Lee Driver Road, passed away Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in her home with her parents by her side, finally succumbing to the effects of her neurodegenerative disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy.

Born Dec. 1, 1987, in Bradford, she was the daughter of Bob and Tammie Hedlund Hannon. Erin is survived by her parents; maternal grandfather, Jack Hedlund of Kane; a brother, Jonathan (Lindsay) Hannon of Harborcreek; two nephews, Jaxon Timothy Hannon and Cole Robert Hannon, also of Harborcreek; and her godparents, David (Jean) Martin of Pittsburgh and Julie (Don) Wismar of Wilcox. Additionally, she is survived by several aunts and uncles, Marcia (Brian) Good, Michael (Lori) Hannon, Christine Hannon, Steve Hannon and Tim Hannon, all of Bradford, Patty (Pat) Egan of Avon, N.Y., Timothy (Christine) Hedlund of Aliquippa and Tania (Sean Kielty) Hedlund of New Hope Township, along with several cousins. She also leaves behind Annie May South Roach, her loving and dedicated caregiver for the past three years; a special “No. 1 Aunt,” Kathy (Ron) Symington; and Birdie and Barkley, her overly protective Bernedoodles.

Preceding her in death are a brother, Bryan Timothy Hannon, who passed away Aug. 21, 2011; paternal grandparents, Matthew and Beverly Hannon; maternal grandmother, Linda Hedlund; aunt Sherry Hannon; and uncle Joseph Hannon.

Erin was a 2006 graduate of Bradford Area High School where she was president of National Honor Society, member of the Homecoming Court and recipient of the Bud Thompson Outstanding Female Athlete award. She will be remembered most for her athletic ability, which began with competitive gymnastics at the age of 5, first with Bradford Flames then moving on to Lakewood, N.Y., Gym Dawgs, earning numerous state, regional and national accolades.

While in high school she was a varsity multiple year letter winner in volleyball, diving and indoor/outdoor track and field. During her high school track and field career she earned seven indoor state medals (three state titles) and four national medals, most noteworthy was the 2005 Nike Indoor National High Jump Champion. In outdoor track and field Erin was a four-event state qualifier in each of her four years of high school, winning 15 of 16 District IX titles, and earning the James Manners District IX MVP in all four years. At the PA outdoor track and field state competition she compiled eight medals, including two state titles, and helped her team to Bradford High’s first state championship. At the end of her high school athletic career, Erin was honored with recognition as a Wendy’s High School Heisman finalist and a PA Gatorade T&F Athlete of the Year finalist. To this day she still holds numerous district and facility track and field meet records throughout the state. One of Erin’s proudest moments in her career was having her grandfather, a PIAA track and field official, present her with her state medals and the team with the state championship trophy in 2006.

With her pick of college offers of a full athletic scholarship, Erin continued her athletic career at the University of Nebraska. In a career that was cut short after her sophomore year, she managed to add to her resume six All Big 12 medals, including a silver medal in the high jump, earned a trip to the NCAA outdoor nationals and was recognized as a USTFCCCA All-American. Though her competitive career was over, Erin continued as a student assistant in the University of Nebraska Track & Field department helping with travel arrangements and recruiting. A 2011 graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and endorsements in teaching and coaching, Erin worked in numerous jobs in Nebraska Public Services. After returning to Bradford, Erin became certified as a PIAA track and field official, and was most recently employed by the U.S. Postal Service until her disease overcame her ability to continue working.

There will be no visitation; at the time of her death, Erin was transported to the Center for Rare Disease Therapy at UPMC to harvest her brain and spinal cord in an effort to aid in the further advancement and research of late juvenile MLD.

Family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 24, 2026) at St. Bernard Church followed by a Mass of Christian burial with the Rev. John Jacquel, pastor, as celebrant.

Funeral arrangements are under direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials, if desired be made to Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center, careforchildren.info/ways-to-help/make-a-gift.html; Jim Kelly Hunter’s Hope Foundation, huntershope.org/home/donate; or the National Association of Rare Diseases (NORD), rarediseases.org/donate-nord.

Online condolences may be expressed at hollenbeckcahill.com.