Sr. Mary Anne Butler, SSJ

Sister Mary Anne Butler died Friday at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence after several years of declining health. She was 94.

The daughter of Thomas and Genevieve Butler, Mary Anne was born in Niagara Falls. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in September 1947, took the name Sister Mary Jeanne, and pronounced her final vows in August 1953. She earned a B.S. in Education from Mount St. Joseph College in 1966 and an M.S. in Education from Medaille College in 1971.

Sister enjoyed several careers. Over the course of 26 years, she taught at St. Francis deSales, St. John the Baptist, Cathedral, St. Joseph, St. Aloysius, St. Mark, Blessed Trinity and Sacred Heart (Niagara Falls).

In 1977 she enrolled in the nursing program at D’Youville College and did part-time nursing at Our Lady of Victory Hospital for two years. Trocaire College awarded her an LPN in January 1980 and an RN in 1981.

Sister’s ministry in healthcare 1981-1987 brought her to the Sisters’ Clarence Residence as Director of Health Services, Hamlin Terrace as Quality Assurance Supervisor and Garden Gate Manor Health Care as Assistant Director of Nursing. In 1987 she became Activities Director of St. Francis Home and added the responsibilities of Recruitment Coordinator for Nursing Services and part-time supervisor until 1991.

The Sisters of St. Joseph appreciated Sister Mary Anne’s talents as she served for 11 years (1991-2002) as Community Archivist.

At the request of Sister Karen Klimczak in 2003, Sister volunteered four days a week at Bissonette House. The residents appreciated her warm presence and the delicious baked goods she regularly made for them. Speaking of her 12 years there, she stated “God has saved the best for last.”

Sister is survived by her nephews Thomas, John, George, James Butler and a niece Mary Malowney. Visitation will be held Monday, June 15th from 2-4 pm at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence, 4975 Strickler Rd., Clarence, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Tuesday, June 16th at 10:30am.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph, 4975 Strickler Rd., Clarence, New York 14031, or at www.buffalossj.org.