Isabel J. Berardi (Hodor) of Moon Township, the lovely likable women with a heart of gold, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at the age of 91. She was a woman who left an imprint on everyone she met with her poise, wit, sharp mind and kind giving heart.

Born in Martins Ferry, OH on September 14, 1926, Isabel was raised in a humble family with seven siblings. In lieu of the education she desired, and in order to help support her large family, she worked running a press at the Continental Can company as a young teenager.

In her teenage years, Isabel supported the WW II effort by working at Ackerman’s dipping bomb rings. She did such an outstanding job that they sent her to Pittsburgh to become a first-class welder for critical applications. Here she performed her proudest work. Isabel helped to build the famous LST-750 Landing Ship Tank at Dravo’s Neville Island Yard in Pittsburgh, PA.

She married Rico Berardi and honeymooned on the 25th floor of the Pittsburgher Hotel. Shortly after, she accepted a job at the same Hotel. They teased that when she originally arrived on the train to Pittsburgh from Martins Ferry, it was love at first sight. That moment started their long and successful journey together.

Isabel and Rico wanted to build a life together and start a family, so they purchased their first gas station, which evolved to a total of three. Seven years later, they sold the stations in order to launch the well-known Berardi’s Lounge and Restaurant on Fourth Ave. in Coraopolis. Popular sports teams frequented, to include the L.A. Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates. It is here that Isabel developed her fabulous cooking skills to make food from scratch — spaghetti noodles, meatballs, soups, sauces, bread, desserts and so much more.

In the early years of their 41-year old establishment Isabel fed her home cooking to many customers, but a few of her regulars were Rockwell International’s presidents and vice presidents who had lunch there daily for many years. Some became friends, friendships that were maintained even after their headquarters was relocated to California.

During this same period, Isabel was the mother of three girls. Over her life, she shared many fond memories and stories about these hard-working years. She was truly a working mother before her time.

A keen investor, Isabel owned several wig shops and during this period she had 3 girls and a son. Along with her husband, she invested in land and rental properties such as local apartment buildings and homes. Her savvy real-estate mind expanded her investments to Florida. Over 20 years she and Rico purchased at least 5 different condos as an investment and a second home in Madeira Beach. Isabel managed all her rental properties herself.

Isabel loved her condo in Madeira Beach overlooking the ocean and the Florida weather. Anyone who visited was treated to her five-star hospitality. She always served incredibly delicious meals that were more like a feast and with a delightful atmosphere. Recruiting other family members to invest and live alongside Ocean Sands made for many happy memories eating, laughing and enjoying life on the beach.

An avid reader, Isabel loved reading the newspaper from front to back. She inherited her mother’s intelligence, who spoke five languages. She was extremely smart on many topics and provided wise advice to many.

As a young girl, Isabel sang in the choir at her Catholic church in Martins Ferry. She loved opera and Luciano Pavarotti was her favorite opera singer. One of her prized possessions was a painting done by Luciano Pavarotti that was signed personally to Isabel. She cherished this large beautiful painting and it hung by her bedside until she passed.

Isabel was a rare gem. She was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to working hard to give to others and showing so much love to her family by caring every single minute of her life. A woman of courage, wisdom, and a calm inner strength, Isabel never raised her voice nor her hand to her children, ever. She was also very proud that their four children attended college without any debts.

Isabel will be remembered for her generous and entrepreneurial spirit, her warm hospitality, her incredible cooking, and her dedication and deep selfless love of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was a dedicated and loyal wife to her very charismatic husband Rico for 68 years. The care she provided to him in his late years was beyond admirable. They worked extraordinarily hard their entire life together. The only time they had a break was for their memorable trips to Las Vegas. Isabel would return with recipes to try and exciting stories of meeting celebrities. Of course, they were big Steelers fans, especially Isabel, and once retired they watched every game together.

Isabel was one of the loveliest, most generous women you could ever meet in your life. She always made you laugh with her quick, sharp wit. Every bit of her will be deeply and sorely missed.

Isabel is the mother of Joyce Krane (the late Rich), Anita Berardi, Cheryl Berardi and Edward Berardi (Sherri); Grandmother of Ryan Krane (Kerry), Michael, Mark and Aaron Bodrog; Austin Manuel; Courtney and Dominic Berardi; Great-grandmother of Isabella Krane; Sister of Dorothy DeFede; Sister-in-law of Elsie Hodor.

Isabel is preceded in death by her parents John and Mary (Pastor) Hodor, infant Alishia Berardi, siblings Mary Vetanze, Francis Groza, Nancy Smith, Charles Hodor, William Hodor and Paul Hodor and her husband Enrico Berardi.