Emily Rae (Orlowski) Zahner, 52, of Pleasantville, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at UPMC Hamot Hospital.

Emily was born in Erie on September 23, 1973, to Raymond F. and Margaret (Pius) Orlowski. She married Jed Zahner on July 15, 2003, in Northeast, PA.

She was a graduate of Mercyhurst Prep High School, Class of 1992, and attended Mercyhurst University.

Emily and her husband moved to Pleasantville in 2005 to raise their family. Emily had a strong love for animals. She spent many hours volunteering with an animal rescue service, and she absolutely loved her two dogs, cat, and tortoise. Emily also had a great passion for all things music. She loved all genres, but she found herself in the punk scene. With her love for live music, she became a very talented drummer. She shared this love with her children and inspired them to become musicians as well.

Emily had an unbelievable sense of creativity and imagination. She was fascinated by history and literature, and she enjoyed collecting odd antiques and books. Though these things were important to Emily, her story goes far beyond her simple interests.

Emily showed a love that others couldn’t begin to give. She embraced everyone she ever met with the same love and care. So many things were left unsaid. So many things were left unexplained. The question of fairness comes to mind. Such a bright light extinguished just as fast as the flame was lit.

She set the highest example—for her family, for her friends—that even with this long, treacherous road ahead, we can be as strong as she was. Though we may never hold a candle to the strength she left behind, she will bear this hardship for us.

She lives and breathes in every one of us. Her strength will shine through, reminding us that this is not the end. Our lives are not over. For some, they’re just beginning.

And while our hearts ache and our questions are left unanswered, she shows us that there are no things left unsaid, no things left undone. There is nothing more to do than be strong. Be brave. Be fierce.

Emily was a fighter. That fighter lives in all of us. Even when our world comes crashing down, we will not bend. We will not break. We will remain strong for her.

Emily is survived by her husband, Jed Zahner, of Pleasantville; two children, Jack and Lauren Zahner, of Pleasantville; and her mother, Margaret Orlowski, of Erie.

She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond F. Orlowski.

Visitation will be held at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home Inc., 303 N. Washington St., Titusville, on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be private to the family and close friends.

Memorial contributions can be made to The ANNA Shelter of Erie https://www.theannashelter.com/

 

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