Joan Salisbury Butler

Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Joseph F. and Dorothea F. (Quinn) Salisbury and the sister of the late Hope Hollinrake, Carol Salisbury, and Joseph F. Salisbury III. Joan was a 1948 graduate of St. Xavier’s Academy. After graduating, she worked for Paramount Greeting cards as a verse writer and would continue on a freelance basis to write verses after she married and became a full-time homemaker. Later, she became a certified nursing assistant and worked at the Jewish Home for the Aged and other local nursing homes before retiring in 1995. Her favorite occupation of all though, was being Nana and caregiver for all of her beloved grandchildren. Joan loved to spend time with her family and friends, was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, liked reading, watching old movies, and enjoyed ninety summers on her beloved Prudence Island.

Joan was the beloved mother of Joseph “Jeb” E. Butler, Mark S. Butler (Cynthia), John C. Butler (Cathy), LeeAnn Butler Olsen (Jeff), Michael D. Butler (the late Jean), Beth Butler-Brassard (Timothy) and the late Nancy M. Mittleman. She was the loving Nana of Ryan Mittleman, Heather Lerner (Steve), Matthew Butler, Amy Olsen (Crosby), Jillian Castaneda (Franky), Christopher Butler, Patrick Butler (Taryn), Catherine Butler (Daniel), Alexandra Brassard and Jacob Brassard; cherished great-Nana of Hannah, Sadie, Morris, Arlo, Eleanora, Wilder, Oliver, Jack and Ned.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Her funeral will be on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 8:45 am in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 10:00 am. in St. Raymond Church, 1240 North Main Street, Providence. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Raymond’s St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 1240 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.