Thelma Prandini
Musical performer was longtime secretary
Thelma Prandini, 89, of Washington, formerly of Meadow Lands, died Monday, February 24, 2014, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, after a traumatic fall two weeks ago.
She was born July 6, 1924, in New Castle, a daughter of Angelo and Angelina Frank Laita.
Mrs. Prandini was a graduate of New Castle High School.
She was employed at Washington Hospital School of Nursing as a library assistant and secretary for 23 years and also as a cashier at several local theaters in Washington.
Mrs. Prandini loved to perform country-western music. As a young woman, she cut a record with Bob Pandas called “Sweet Darling” and performed with him for several years. She also played guitar and sang with a group called the Sunshine Girls from the New Castle and Butler area. She was a former member of the Sweet Adelines and spent several years with the Washington Community Theater group production. Playing guitar and singing were her favorite hobbies.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, and its Christian Mothers and Guild.
Surviving are two daughters, Debra Powell and Janet Burt, both of Washington. She was the proud grandmother of three grandchildren, Allison Rider (Dan) and Tina and Tony Powell, and a great-grandchild, Garrett David Rider.
Deceased are her husband, Larry Prandini, and a sister, Rose Cugini.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, February 28, in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, with the Rev. Carmen A. D’Amico as celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. Memorial contributions may be made to Washington City Mission, 84 West Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301 or Donnell House, in care of Hospice of Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.