Barbara Butler Boulton

Barbara Butler Boulton of Greensboro, NC, passed away peacefully April 19, 2026, after a brief stay at the hospital with pneumonia. Barbara was born in Pittsburg, PA, on February 18, 1933, to Paul Aloysius Butler and Marcella Ley Butler and was raised in Bayside Hills, NY.

She married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” George Boulton, on October 27, 1956. They lived their life to the fullest, traveling the world, entertaining many friends and associates and raising their 4 children.

After moving to North Carolina, Barbara found great fulfillment in her involvement with Weatherspoon Art Museum at all levels, from opening the museum gift shop to being a docent. She enjoyed meeting new people and learning about exhibits and artists. Bob and she enjoyed their time at their home at Sunset Beach, NC with family and friends. They also enjoyed their winter home in Venice Beach, FL, where she took many classes and learned the art of basket weaving.

Barbara’s life was filled with true creativity. She was the ultimate learner and never saw a project that was too hard to master. Whether it was fixing a car engine, taking down walls, tiling a bathroom or making one of her prized Nantucket baskets, she always mastered the project and made it perfect, even if she had to redo it many, many times!

Preceding her in death was her husband, Robert Boulton, son-in-law, Allen Holt Gwyn, her two brothers Paul Butler and his wife Patricia, Russell Butler and his wife Maureen as well as her brothers-in-law William Boulton and Thomas Piotrowski.

Surviving Barbara are her children, Guy Boulton (Marybeth Ford) of Milwaukee, WI, Gail Boulton of Greensboro, NC, Glenn Boulton of Oak Ridge, NC and Beth Boulton of Greensboro, NC and five grandchildren, each of whom brought a special joy to her life: Kathryn Bates Boulton (33), Maggie Boulton Lander (James) (32), Boulton “Bo” Miller (30), Walker Miller (28) and Robert (Robbie) Boulton (24). She is also survived by her sister Geraldine Butler Piotrowski and sister-in-law Joanne Boulton in addition to 20 nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Church (2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro, NC) on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 11:00am. The family invites all guests to join them for lunch at Well-Spring Retirement Community (4100 Well-Spring Drive) in the Special Occasion Room immediately following the service. Guests are invited to park at the Special Event lot.

A special thanks to the nurses and staff at the ICU unit at Wesley Long Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Weatherspoon Art Museum (500 Tate Street, Greensboro, NC 27412) or St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (address above).