Arline Coleman Pignato of Dunbar passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, in Thomas Memorial Hospital. She was 89.

Mrs. Pignato was born in Dunbar on June 14, 1917, to Lafayette and Myrtie Gillespie Coleman. She attended Marshall College and was a graduate of Morris Harvey College. A devoted teacher, Mrs. Pignato taught for 41 years in Salt Lake City, Utah, and in Kanawha County Schools. She taught fifth grade, first grade, and kindergarten.

Mrs. Pignato was part of the fabric of the community of Dunbar. Most of her teaching years were spent at Mound School, Ford School, West Dunbar, and Dunbar Elementary. She began teaching kindergarten classes at First Church United Methodist and later helped develop the statewide curriculum for kindergarten in public schools. She was named Teacher of the Year in the 1970s in Dunbar.

She was a long-standing member of the Pioneer Woman's Club and the Dunbar Garden Club, serving as Garden Club president for several years. She was a member of "the cradle roll" of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Dunbar (now First Church United Methodist), served on the church Library Committee, and participated in Women's Circle and numerous other activities.

Mrs. Pignato is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Joseph Pignato of Dunbar and their children and grandchildren. Children include John Coleman Pignato and wife Connie Sue of Dunbar, Roberta Pignato Fowlkes and husband Claude of Charleston, and Melinda J. Pignato of Richmond, Va. Grandchildren are Claude C. (Trey) Fowlkes III, of Hurricane, Catherine D. (Dru) Fowlkes Field and husband Larry of South Charleston, and Valerie Rose Pignato of Richmond, Va. Mrs. Pignato has two surviving sisters: Roberta Childress and husband Ross of South Charleston, and Elberta Fisher and husband Bill of Houston, Tx. She also is survived by brothers- and sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and by special friend and "daughter" Rosemary Boggess, all of whom she loved dearly.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Celestia Ellis, Josephine Parsons, and Helen Coleman Smith, and by brothers Cecil, Robert and Howard Coleman.

Mrs. Pignato, known for her sweet personality, her love and compassion for all children, and her devotion to her family, already is greatly missed. The family is grateful to the many friends and former students who visited, brought flowers, sent cards and generously shared their love and friendship over the years.

"Teacher Friend, you taught them well,

To read and write, to add and spell.

Without your help along the way,

They'd not be where they are today."

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at Keller Funeral Home in Dunbar.

The funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at First Church United Methodist, 14th Street and Myers Ave., Dunbar, with Rev. Dr. Okey B. Harless officiating. Interment will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.