CUMBERLAND – Florence A. “Floss” Butterworth, 95, a 66-year resident, died peacefully Nov. 21, with family members at her side.

Born June 3, 1920, in Lisbon Falls, she was the daughter of Benjamin J. Atwood and Annie L. Nelson Atwood. When she was 5, her family moved to Brunswick, where some of her fondest childhood memories were of riding her bike through the Bowdoin College campus and talking with professors.

She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1938 and the University of Maine at Orono in 1942 as a home economics major. She was a proud member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, and named the Winter Carnival Queen in 1941 while a student at UMO.

It was also at UMO that Butterworth met the love of her life, Dale J. Butterworth, at a military ball. They married May 30, 1942, in Harpswell.

As newlyweds, the couple journeyed by train to Boston, New York and Albany, Georgia, where Dale began basic training in flight school.

The Butterworths bought a farm in Cumberland Center in 1949. Butterworth was a dedicated mother and community volunteer. She was a member of the Tuttle Road Church and volunteered for the Salvation Army for decades. She was a Cub Scout, Brownie, Girls Scout and 4-H leader. Butterworth was also a proud member of the Mayflower Society for 35 years, tracing her ancestry back to several of the original pilgrims.

The Butterworths enjoyed taking bus trips, but one of the most memorable trips Butterworth took was when she visited England, Scotland and Wales with family members and a friend.

Butterworth was an amazing cook, enjoyed knitting and hooking rugs. She loved to paint and belonged to a Cousin’s Island artists’ group.

Those who knew her said Butterworth modeled a life of love, caring, forgiveness, patience and gracefulness.

Mrs. Butterworth is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including her daughter, Susan Swanson and her two sons, Aaron McPike, and his children Joshua and Emily and Emily’s son, Toby Swanson; her daughter, Sally Wilkinson and her three sons, Matthew Soule, his children Kyle and Audrey; Derek Soule and his children, Calvin, Riley and Siara; and Siara’s son, Phil Soule; a daughter, Jane and her son, Peter Herbst and his children, Abigail and William; Nathaniel Herbst, his children, Penelope and Vivienne, and Ben Herbst and his son, James Butterworth.

A memorial service was held Nov. 28 at the Tuttle Road United Methodist Church. Those who wish, may make memorial contributions to Tuttle Road United Methodist Church, 52 Tuttle Road, Cumberland, ME 04021.

Butterworth

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