Mary Jane Butler

Mary Jane Butler, nee Williams, 88, died on July 22 in Evanston, Illinois, where she was a resident at the Presbyterian Home. The daughter of Ralph Milton Williams and Mary Cobb Williams, Mary Jane (Mickey) was born on July 19th, 1924 in Chicago. She grew up in Skokie and Wilmette and was graduated from New Trier High School in 1942. In 1946 she was graduated from National College of Education in Evanston, and taught for at a school for children with disabilities. She was married to John Meigs Butler, Jr. for 63 years, and they together devotedly raised seven children in Winnetka. For many years she was on the Hubbard Woods School PTA, serving as a vice president. She enjoyed gardening, and was a member of the Kenilworth Garden Club, serving as president from 1988-1990. Volunteering came naturally to her at both the North Shore Senior Center and the Winnetka Volunteer Talent Pool. She was the president of the alumni board at National College of Education. Mickey always enjoyed water sports and was proud to be a certified scuba diver as well as one of the first female lifeguards at the Wilmette Beach where she worked for four years while men were away at war. Keeping her mind bright was always important and belonging to a book group for many years brought her great satisfaction. Her family and friends will always remember her hospitality and her innate ability to create strong connections with others. She was predeceased by her husband. Mickey was the mother of Mary (Timothy) Burke of Essex, NY, Anne (Peter) McNerney of Winnetka, Margaret (Thomas) Cucciniello of Ramsey, NJ, Peter (Jessica) of Winnetka, James (Kristin) of Janesville, WI, Daniel (Carol) Butler of Jacksonville, FL, and the late John M. (Patricia) Butler, III of Austin, TX: She was the sister of the late Ralph Williams of Frankfort, MI, and John C. Williams (Virginia Blankenbaker) of Wilmette; sister in law of Murial Williams, and the late Helen Williams; cherished grandmother of twenty-one grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on September 8, 2012, 3:00 p.m. at Christ Church, 784 Sheridan Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mickey’s memory to the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 60022. Info 847-251-8200