Bertiann Thomas

August 16, 1937 - April 25, 2018

Bertiann Thomas, 80, of Butler, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at Butler Memorial Hospital. She was born August 16, 1937 in Butler. Bertiann's biological father, Arthur Fohl passed away two months before her birth. She was raised by her late parents, Boyd Elmer "Ike" Smith and Mary Jayne (McCool) Smith. She had a lifelong love of music that began in grade school when she sang, "Cruising Down the River," in her cardboard canoe with her best friend, Sally Dixon (Moore). In high school, she played the violin and sang in the minstrel show. She, then went on to sing and act in many performances with the Musical Theatre Guild and for the last 19 years, along side her sister, Kandy, sang in the ACTS (Adoring Christ Through Song) choir. Kandy had the rhythm and Bertiann had "the voice." She really also enjoyed the Butler Symphony. She wasn't a world traveler, but saw many places and interesting events which included living in Cyprus and Saigon, Vietnam while her husband, Norman was in the US Government Service. Coming home from their last assignment, they landed in Hawaii, in 1959 the day it became the 50th state. A little brush with fame was in Hong Kong, where they met and had dinner with Frank Sinatra. Bertiann was a strong supporter of the ARC. She had worked as a receptionist for Dr. Al Gordon Walters and Dr. Ernest Moore. Anybody that who came in contact with her was blessed. She was always a giver and never expected anything in return. Surviving are 2 sons, John (Lorelei) Pringle of Louisville, KY and Kevin (Miriam) Pringle of Charlotte, NC; her daughter, Kathleen Pringle of Slippery Rock; 2 sisters, Kandace Smith Singer of Butler and Juanita (Jim) Lott of Dawsonville, GA; a stepdaughter, Lorri (Larry) Daniels and their family of Butler; her 2 grandchildren, Liza and Thom Pringle and 1 great grandson, Jordan Pringle. She is also survived by the children of her deceased cousin, Ed Hilliard; Raymond (deceased), Jean, Joseph and Becky Hilliard. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Norman Pringle and second husband, Nikolas Thomas, 2 brothers and her son, Bradford Pringle. Friends and family are invited to an open house memorial celebration on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at 106 ART-LIN Ave, Butler Township, 1PM to 4PM. All are welcome to come and share their memories of Bertiann. For directions, please call 724-283-0494. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bertiann's memory to the ARC, 112 Hollywood Drive, Suite 202, Butler, PA 16001 Private burial will be in Greenlawn Burial Estates.