Barbara Butler Obituary, Death – Family and friends are invited to a viewing at Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main Street, Millbury, on Sunday, January 22nd, from 3 to 6 p.m., to remember and celebrate Barbara’s life. A funeral service for her will be held on January 23 at 11 a.m. at the Millbury Federated Church, 20 Main Street, Millbury. The following are the interments in Millbury’s Central Cemetery. Barbara L. (Hairyes) Butler, 90, died calmly on Saturday, January 14, in the company of her loving family. Barbara’s husband, Leo R. Butler, died on December 24, 1994. They married on May 3, 1952, in Millbury, where they would dwell for the remainder of their lives. Donna Butler of Oxford is the sole survivor. She is also survived by her sons, Philip and Gail of Mattawamkeag, Maine, Kevin and Jenny of Millbury, Donald of Millbury, and James and Norita of Subic, Philippines.
Her grandchildren are John and Susan Lebel, Rachel Simpson and Kevin Simpson, Jason Butler, Amanda Rivas and Sidney, Melissa and significant other, Jestine Butler and fiance Eduardo Paixao, and Bethany Butler, Michelle Bacolcol, Ashley Baribeault, and Robert, Kayla Butler and Edwin Barretto. Her great-grandchildren include John, Abbie, Shyleigh, Katelin, Meredith, Eduarda, Nicolette, Jayden, Alexis, Andrew, Anthony, Alex, Ariana, Ayden, Aubree, Avery, Amos, Kayleb, Aliyanna, Maxwell, Zoe, Pearl. Her great, great-grandchildren are John, Felix, and Novalee. There are several relatives, nieces, and nephews. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Elliott and Mary Eva (Menard) Hairyes, as well as her siblings Margret Hairyes, Elliott Hairyes Jr., and Clara Burns, as well as her granddaughter Rhonda Butler and great-grandson Joshua.
Barbara possessed a huge amount of passion and devotion despite the fact that she never bothered to get a driver’s license and never drove. Her love for her family and her community demonstrated this. Barbara worked as a crossing guard for the Millbury Police Department for 37 years, safeguarding her neighbors’ children as well as her own five children, whom she raised. She had taken on this job after her mother. Barbara is pleased with herself. She wore the badge that was presented to her her entire life. Her next assignment was to join a group that built and operated the Millbury Federated Church’s food pantry. She has been dealing with this for over four decades.
The pantry’s aim is to help Millbury residents who are in need. Barbara was in charge of the Care and Nurture Ministry, as well as the prayer chain and the church pantry. She rang the Christmas bells during the Christmas Eve services. She also worked for her family’s wreath-making business and delivered newspapers for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette while she was still young. Barbara’s family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the personnel at Life Caring Center of Auburn for their expertise, attention, and care during this difficult time for Barbara and our needs.