Myrna Bayless Hart

Myrna Bayless Hart, 88, of Erie, formerly of Canonsburg and Washington, passed away Monday, August 3, 2026, at Saint Marys at Asbury Ridge of Erie, after a battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born Feb 9, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of the late John and Mildred (Johnson) Bayless.

She is survived by two sons, Robert D. (Linda) Hart of Erie and John E. (Debbie) Hart of New Hampshire. Also surviving are a brother-in-law, Nelson T. (Marcia) Hart of Ohio; a sister-in-law, Mabel Hart of Michigan; a niece and nephews in Michigan; a niece Melinda (Derek) Millan in Mt Lebanon, three grandchildren, Daniel H. (Ariadne) Hart in Erie, and in New England: Danielle (Michael) DiCienzio and Derek (Morgan) Young; and five great-grandchildren, Colin Gilbrook, Grayson and Isla Young, and Owen and Jacob DiCienzio.

In addition to her parents she was preceeded in death by her husband of 56 years Thomas Hart and her brother Edward Bayless.

Myrna attended Baldwin Wallace College and then earned her educational degree from Ohio State University. She taught elementary school for many years, first in Ohio, and then after 1973 at West Alexander and Joe Walker Elementary Schools within the McGuffey School District in southwestern PA, before retiring in 1999. After retirement Myrna and her husband enjoyed their mission trips including 3 months in Mawali.

Mrs. Hart was an active member of the Church of the Covenant and then at the First Presbyterian Church of Washington. For many years she was a volunteer and docent at Bradford House Museum in Washington, PA. Later in life, she and Tom pursued an interest in daylilies and hybridized many original varieties.

Private interment will be in Upper Ten Mile Cemetery, Prosperity, PA at a future date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1793 of Washington PA (www.fpc1793.org) or the Bradford House in Washington PA (www.bradfordhouse.org).