Lillian Rath

1919 - 2017

Lillian Spang Rath (Yingy), of Butler, passed away Monday, June 5, 2017, at the age of 97. Lillian was born Sept. 26, 1919, to Ferdinand Josiah Spang and Loretta Strance Spang of Butler and Palm Beach, Fla. A graduate of Butler High School, Lillian attended Monticello College in Illinois, ultimately receiving her bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Lillian married Frank E. Rath of Pittsburgh in 1946 and soon moved to the Butler area to raise a family of three girls and two boys. Lillian was fully engaged in support of her family and her husband, who joined her family's business (Spang and Company) in 1949. Spang was founded by her grandfather, George Ashbell Spang, in 1894. In earlier years, Lillian enjoyed golf, flower arranging, painting, art, travel, and the breeding and racing of Quarter Horses. She was an active member of the Ichiyo School of Ikebana. She continued her husband's Quarter Horse racing and breeding operations after his death in 1997 and, of course, her famous Kentucky Derby parties. Lillian closely followed politics and enthusiastically supported Donald Trump for president. She and her husband Frank hosted a Republican fundraiser featuring then-Vice President George H.W. Bush at their Penn Township home in 1982. Through the Pittsburgh Foundation and direct gifts, Lillian supported the arts, education, cultural organizations and medical research in the Butler and Pittsburgh communities. Most of all, Lillian enjoyed her family. She enjoyed her grandchildren and their accomplishments as they grew. Her home was always the gathering place for family holiday get-togethers, including spirited political and philosophical discussions. Lillian died peacefully at her Penn Township family home of 53 years after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Frank; her daughter, Loretta Rath Poindexter; and three sisters, Margaret S. Collins, Louise S. Keplinger and Charlotte S. Jolly. Lillian is survived by sons Frank E. Rath Jr. (Diana) and David F. Rath (Edie), and daughters Lillian V. Raff (Ole) and Laura K. Rath. She is also survived by grandchildren Christina Rath, Allison Rath, Hannah Poindexter, Elizabeth Raff, John Raff, Nicholas Rath, William Rath and Meredith Rath.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler, PA 16001. Funeral services and burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.