Patricia Ann Butler

Patricia Butler, nee Byrne, passed away after a very short illness on September 3, 2024. She was a month shy of her 90th birthday. She was predeceased by her loving husband John Butler, her beautiful granddaughter, Brittany Butler, her parents Clara and Patrick Byrne, her brother James Byrne, and her cousin and friend, Joan Higgins. She is survived by her sons, Mark Butler and his wife, Suzanne, Patrick Butler and his wife, Janet, Matthew Butler and his wife Joan, Daniel Butler and his wife, Lisa, and her daughters, Mary Lynn Butler and her wife Gretchen Lennon, and Nancy O’Donnell and her husband Brian. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren, all of whom adored her and brought her great joy.

Patricia was born and raised in Belleville, NJ. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Rutherford, NJ and went on to work for Bell Telephone Company, Newark, NJ as a switchboard operator. Soon after she married the love of her life, John and began their family, choosing to stay home and raise their six children. After they outgrew their small apartment in Belleville, they bought a home in Butler, NJ where she lived for over 60 years until her death. She eventually went back to work, first at Valley Bank, Wayne, NJ and then for the Borough of Butler, where she was the receptionist, and the “face of the borough” for many years until her retirement at age 72.

Life was not always easy for Grammy or Trish, as her grandchildren lovingly called her. However, she clung to her catholic faith which she credited with getting her through many difficult times, including the trials and tribulations of raising six children and the death of her husband. In fact both she and John were honored with membership in the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus The Order of Friars Minor founded by St. Francis of Assisi, shortly before John’s death.

Grammy took tremendous pride in the accomplishments of each of her children and grandchildren and loved hearing their news. She had gifts for listening, praying, and of course doing laundry. Despite losing her husband at a young age and living 33 years as a widow, she continued to live a life of purpose and meaning. She persisted with what she and John started; she stressed the importance of education, family and love of God and neighbor. Grammy taught us to take care of each other and to care for those less fortunate.

In the end, Patricia died as she lived, without being much of a burden to anyone, and knowing that she loved and was loved by the ever-expanding family she and John began so many years ago.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 3:30pm-6:30pm at the Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ. A funeral mass will be offered on Monday, September 9th, 10am at St. Anthony's Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ. Burial will immediately follow mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Butler, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Patricia's memory to the Market Street Mission, PO Box 1937, Morristown, NJ 07962

https://www.marketstreet.org/donate/