BUTLER, Julia (June) Mary

2017-05-06

Julia (June) Mary Butler, nee Earle. Age 101, passed away, March 6, 2017, at Harbour View Haven, Lunenburg. Born Sept 9, 1915, in Change Islands, Notre Dame Bay, NL. Her parents were Frederick Earle and Bertha Oake. She was predeceased by her husband Isaac, whom she married in 1940 when Isaac was minister at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Fogo Island and June was church organist. Their ministry was a partnership as she wholeheartedly fulfilled the role of ‘the parson’s wife’ in various parishes in Newfoundland and later in Nova Scotia, the last being St. John’s in Westphal. During their ministry, June put out the weekly parish newsletters with a ‘Gestetner’ duplicating machine. She taught Sunday School, was church organist and choir director, and organized countless church and community events. She was a Commissioner of the Girl Guides in NL during the 1960s. As a teenager she had trained as a stenographer and in her final exams was tied for first place for being the fastest taker of shorthand in the British Empire! She always had a cup of tea and bite to eat for any visitors dropping in to the rectory. She greeted everyone with a ready smile and lively conversation. She was a gifted storyteller with a great sense of humour, and was proud of her Newfoundland heritage. Knitting and crocheting were a lifelong passion and she always had a ready supply of knitted socks and mittens at Christmas time. Her crochet work found its way into many homes, tucked into a greeting card or given as a special gift at baptisms and marriage ceremonies. Music was very important in her life, and she always so enjoyed the St. Cecilia Concert Series and Musique Royale concerts organized by daughter Barbara, as well as the camaraderie at these events. She also continued her interest and membership in such organizations as Women for Music and the Halifax Ladies Musical Club. She was a member of St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg as well as All Saints Cathedral in Halifax where she served as a member of the Music Committee. On the occasion of her 100th birthday, she was honoured by having a musical composition ‘Ballade for Piano’ written and performed for her by composer Peter Allen. June was predeceased by brothers, Frederick, George, Harry and sisters, Jean, Edna and Ethel. She is survived by brother, Charles and sisters Mabel and Gertrude. She is survived also by sons, Bernard (Robina), Dartmouth, NS and Geoffrey (Judi), Granville Ferry, NS and daughters, Margaret (Ken) MacKenzie, Salt Spring Island, BC and Barbara (Roy), Oakland, NS. She will also be greatly missed by grandchildren, Elena and Andrew; Erica and Stephen; Will and David; and Tegan, Kirsten, Leah and Sean; and by great-grandchildren, Kendra, Matthew and Ryan, Emmet, Kyla and Sasha, Nova and Jack. Cremation has taken place. A service of celebration and thanksgiving will be held Saturday, May 27, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax. Reception to follow in the church hall. The family would like to thank the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home in Lunenburg, the Lunenburg County Home Support Services and the caregivers and staff at Harbour View Haven for the wonderful care she received. Appreciation is also extended to her local church family at St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg and to her many friends and acquaintances who have offered words of comfort at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in June's memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences maybe made to the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, Lunenburg. www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca

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