Jean C Butler

August 12, 1928 – March 7, 2012

Sydney River

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings. (Hodding Carter)

We are saddened to announce the passing of Jean (MacPhee) Butler, age 83, on March 7, 2012. Jean was a resident of Harbourstone Enhanced Care facility and resided for many years on Lynch Drive, Sydney River. Born on August 12, 1928 at her family home in Sydney, she was the daughter of the late James and Annie (MacArthur) MacPhee.

Mom is survived by her children: Frances (Robert McNeil); Coleen (Jack Aikens); Clare (Paul MacLean); Bill Jr. (Alexis Manley); Theresa (Steven Cover) (Walkerton, ON); Margie (Paul Moore); Jeannie (Robert Young); John (Susan Gallant) (Kippens, NL); Shaun (Laura MacMaster); Kathleen (Bruce Dalzell); and Carole (Gilles LePage) (Cold Lake, AB).

Nanny is survived by her grandchildren: Patrick and James McNeil; Kathleen (Paul Thompson) (Saskatoon, SK), Aaron and John Aikens (St. John’s, NL); Stephen (Corrine), Shaun (Alison Keats) (Goose Bay, NL) and Paula MacLean; Lauren and Michael Butler; Amanda (Owen Sound, ON) and Christopher Cameron; Iain and Matthew Moore; Nicole, Brett and Brittany Young; Emma and Will Butler (Kippens, NL); Hannah and Ryanne Butler; Peter, Andrew and Heather Dalzell; and great-granddaughters Lucy MacLean and Jesmond Coleen Thompson (Saskatoon, SK).

Jean is also survived by: her siblings, John (Ollie), Rita Potter, Donnie (Annie), Tommy (Joan) (HRM), Kathleen Simpson (Elmer) (North Augusta, ON), Ann Wyslowski (John), and Jim (Marg); by her two sisters-in-law, Peggy MacDonald (Elmer) (Halifax) and Frances Eyre (Halifax); and by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Jean was predeceased by her loving husband, William (Bill) Bernard Butler; son William Jr. in infancy; daughter Eileen; grandson Chad Young; sisters Mary (Nin) O’Connell and Margaret Heron; and sister-in-law Mary Butler.

Mom was a graduate of Holy Angels High School and then went to work with Maritime Tel & Tel. After raising her children to self-sufficiency, she realized her own sense of independence by securing employment as a School Yard Supervisor at Malcolm Munroe Junior High School.

Jean belonged to Our Lady of Fatima Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a long-standing member of the CWL, having served on its Executive.

Mom was a softball catcher in her youth and enjoyed swimming, cross country skiing and skating. She loved to cook and bake; knitted sweaters for friends and relatives; and oversaw or partook in numerous renovations to her home, at times, knocking down walls to make rooms for more children. This renovation bug (a “Jean” she passed along to all of her children) allowed her to achieve a lifetime goal of designing and constructing her own dining room where all Sunday, holiday, birthday and special occasion meals could be formally celebrated.

Driving by her childhood home on Cornishtown Road in Sydney brought back for Jean fond memories of playful times with her siblings, her mother’s homemade bread and her father calling to her, “Sine Mhor” (Big Jean in Gaelic).

Joy, laughter and pride filled Mom’s heart whenever she attended her children’s and grandchildren’s educational, recreational and religious activities. Family gatherings were most important to Mom and Dad. They always made time for Sunday drives and picnics. Holiday and weekend getaways and family vacations were spent in beautiful Ingonish where Mom loved to jump in the waves at Black Brook beach.

Mom was a woman of unequaled strength, courage and wisdom. She worked tirelessly every day for approximately 30 years raising her children. She and Dad instilled in us the values of education, hard work and giving to others. Never one to boast about herself, she rarely missed the opportunity to sing the praises of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at TW Curry Funeral Home on Thursday from 7–9 pm and Friday from 2–4 pm and 7-9 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima church on Saturday at 1:00 pm with Father Duaine Devereaux officiating with reception to follow. A private internment will take place at a later date.

Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Loaves & Fishes (Sydney) or the Alzheimer Society.

Online condolences may be sent to www.twcurry.com.