Obituary of Bertha Pyle, 99

Bertha Gilligan Pyle, 99, of State College, died Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. She was born Oct. 6, 1911, in Coalmont, Huntingdon County, a daughter of the late Edward and Clotilda Kingston Gilligan.

She was a 1930 graduate of State College High School. On Nov. 4, 1936, married Albert H. Pyle, who preceded her in death on Dec. 2, 1997. Mrs. Pyle was a secretary in the department of physical education at Penn State before her retirement in 1977. She was an accomplished seamstress and had a passion for playing bridge, both for fun and in duplicate tournaments. She was a volunteer for many years at what was then Centre Community Hospital and also at the State College Woman's Club Thrift Shop.

She's said her biggest accomplishment was her children, who survive, J. Edward (Nancy), of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Richard J. (Patricia), of Cranberry Township, Elana M., of State College, and Jeannie A. Caparoso (David), of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She also enjoyed being with her grandchildren, Ellen McKelvey (Blaine), Melissa, Michael (Alison), Nicole Talik (Brian), Alan (Jodi) and Thomas; as well as her great-grandchildren, Abigail, Jacob, Luke, Logan Elizabeth, Kayla, Kyle, Alex and Jenna. Her brothers, Howard and Mark Gilligan, live in State College. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Paul, James, Ronald, Edward, Robert, Carl and Eugene Gilligan; and her sisters, Marie Gilligan and Mary Ellen Harkenrider.

There will be no public visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, at with Msgr. David A. Lockard as celebrant. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801; or to Coaches vs. Cancer at Penn State, Attn: Amy O'Neil, 103-XY Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA 16802.
Arrangements by the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home, Milesburg, Pa