Bettie J. Dias, Ph.D., 80, of 530 N. Main St. died June 7 at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in Pittsburgh, Sept. 27, 1925, she was a daughter of James D. and Catherine Hartman Dias.

She served in the Navy for 10 years from 1949 through 1959 and earned the rank of chief yeoman while serving as the personal secretary to the commander in chief of Pacific Naval Operations and later as a court reporter at the International Suez Conference and for the Secretary of State.

Dr. Dias received a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy from Ohio State University in 1964 and a master's degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California in 1967.

She received her doctorate in anatomy and kinesiology from the International University in 1980 while tenured at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. At the college, she was an instructor of kinesiology and physiology and later was associate professor in physical and occupational therapy from 1972 to 1980.

She went on to become the chief occupational therapist at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh and the Highland View Hospital in Cleveland. She also was a consultant to several hospitals throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and Georgia and retired in 1993 as the chief of occupational therapy at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

She had authored and presented numerous papers on subjects concerning developmental kinesiology and occupational therapy. From 1966 to 1976, she was awarded several prestigious scholarships and awards for being a Notable American of the Bicentennial era and was included in several Who's Who lists for American Women Scholars and Professional Speakers.

She was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church since returning to Butler; the Speakers Platform in Augusta, Ga.; the National Graduate Honor Fraternity; Phi Delta Gamma; Alpha Eta and many professional organizations.

Surviving are a brother, Curtis C. Dias of Las Vegas.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.

<B>DIAS </B>—- A Mass of Christian burial for Bettie J. Dias, Ph.D., who died Wednesday, June 7, 2006, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St. Following cremation, inurnment will be at the Jefferson Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum, Pleasant Hills.There will be no visitation.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B> and are available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.