KENNEBUNK — Dorothy Jane Butler, 79, died unexpectedly at the Maine Medical Center on Aug. 26, 2014. Family members were with her.
She was born Nov. 11, 1934 in Biddeford, the daughter of George Butler and Martina Green Butler.
She attended Biddeford schools and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1953, the University of Maine, Orono in 1957 and earned her master’s degree in education from the University in 1963.
She was a teacher in New Britain, Connecticut from 1957-62, Norwalk, Connecticut from 1963-73 and in Biddeford from 1974-84. She was employed in the family business, Atkinson’s Furniture Co., in Saco from 1985-88.
Dotty Butler, as she was affectionately known, was a loving sister and aunt to her family, and a dedicated and generous friend and colleague to many. She was a skilled teacher and took a personal interest in her students, mentoring and providing friendship and support to those who could benefit from special attention. Her love and concern for children was reflected in her role, from 1972 to the present, as a Save The Children sponsor, often of more than one child annually.
She was deeply religious, and as a member of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunk, she served as a lay reader, lector and member of the Altar Guild. Looking ahead to her death, while still in the midst of a busy, happy life, she left specific instructions for her funeral, requesting that the service be a “celebration of our faith in the resurrection” rather than a celebration of her life.
Dotty’s interests were many: reading, music, theater, art and nature. She was an avid golfer. She enjoyed travel ”“ across the United States and in Europe, particularly Germany. At her beloved camp on North Pond in Norway, she enjoyed fishing and the companionship of family and friends.
Dotty once wrote, “My dear family, friends and faith have been my strongholds.” She in turn dispensed joy ”“ sharing her humor, sense of fun and vitality ”“ and her abiding love. She will be sadly missed.
She is survived by: her brother, G. Robert Butler and his wife Joyce of Kennebunk; nieces, Leslie Butler Roberts and her husband Sumner and their daughter Sarah Drake, all of Kennebunk, and their son Adam Drake of Avon, Colorado; and Stephanie Butler and her husband Stuart Cotts of Ashland, Oregon; nephew, James K. Butler and his wife Maureen of Biddeford and their daughter Julia Butler of Boston and their sons Samuel Butler and John Butler of Biddeford.
Dorothy also leaves her valued, life-long friend and housemate in recent years, Karen Goodwin Barbee, of Kennebunk.
Visiting hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3 at the Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014 at St. David’s Episcopal Church, York Street in Kennebunk. Interment will follow in the family lot in Woodlawn Cemetery in Biddeford. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a contribution in Dorothy’s memory to The Scholarship Fund, Biddeford High School, 20 Maplewood Ave., Biddeford, ME 04005, or to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043. www.bibberfuneral.com.
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