Frances Butler turned 100 on November 12, 2017. On Saturday November 11, Frances celebrated her birthday with friends and family at the Community Center in Burney. More than 100 people attended including some of Frances’ children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Frances Butler and family
Four of seven great grandchildren
A grand celebration
Family members had prepared a display of photo boards portraying Frances’ life. There were pictures of family going back to the 1800’s. Frances was born in Chico on November 12, 1917 as Frances Elenor Pingrey. She graduated in 1935 from Chico High School.
Frances Elenor Pingrey
In 1939, she married Vic Meinberg. They had two children, Darold and Joyce.
Frances Meinberg
In 1952, she and her husband moved to Burney where her husband worked for the mill and she worked at the dry cleaners. In 1953, she joined the Burney Presbyterian Church where she was active in many activities, including teaching Sunday school. quilting, and supporting the annual Harvest Dinner. She later worked as a seamstress and then drove the senior van for Golden Umbrella.
In 1980, she married Jim Butler and became stepmother to his three daughters, Peggy, Emmy, and Ann.
Frances Butler
After people had socialized, looked at the pictures and settled in, a delicious lunch was provided. Her grandson Dan then recounted a brief biography of Frances’ life complemented by anecdotes from his sister Debbie. They described Frances as their “adventure grandmother” who often took them on drives exploring the dirt roads through the woods in search of springs and other special places. In addition to seven great grandchildren, Frances also has two great great grandchildren – five generations!
Then long time friends and fellow church members shared highlights of how Frances had touched their lives through the years.
Debbie graciously thanked everyone for coming and Dan introduced Alex Colvin who sang a song he had written for Frances’ one hundredth birthday.
Then her great grandchildren brought out a cake with one hundred candles and lit them all. The crowd of celebrants joined together in singing “Happy Birthday.” Frances huffed and puffed and blew them all out evoking cheers and applause from all present.
After the candles were extinguished, everyone was served a delicious piece of cake.
Happy birthday, dear Frances. May God bless you and your family as you have been a blessing to all of us.
Pit River Country 