Joan E. Butler, 88
Dateline: Buzzards Bay, MA
Joan E. (Ellis) Butler, age 88, of Buzzards Bay, formerly of Mansfield, and Fort Lauderdale passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the care and love of her adoring family on Saturday, October 15, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard M. Butler, to whom she was wed for nearly sixty-five years at the time of his death on May 28, 2017.
Born in Boston, MA on January 15, 1934, she was a loving daughter of the late George W. and Florence E. (Upshall) Ellis.
Joan spent her younger life growing up in Needham. Her family later moved to Sharon, where she was a 1951 graduate of Sharon High School. She lived in Mansfield for many years and enjoyed the summer months spent in Buzzards Bay and winters in Fort Lauderdale.
A dedicated homemaker to her treasured family, Mrs. Butler had also worked at the former Fran’s Flower Shop and the former Fairfield Optical Co., both in Mansfield.
Joan was a longtime communicant of Saint Mary’s Church in Mansfield and served on the Mansfield Bicentennial Committee in 1975. She was an active member of the Foxborough American Legion Post and along with her late husband, shared their love of music participating in Minstrel Shows and performing on stage and off as a graphic and scenic artist. Joan’s other hobbies included art, painting and bowling.
She is survived by her devoted children: Richard M. Butler, Jr. and his wife Patricia of Attleboro, Marie E. Hartley and her husband Joel of Marion, Joanne L. DiGiampietro and her husband Robert of Mansfield, George H. Butler of Attleboro, Christine B. “Tina” Friedman of Buzzards Bay, Paula K. Prior and her partner Scott Steinback of Mashpee, David A. Butler and his wife Celine Daly of Dublin, Ireland, Frederick J. Butler and his wife Susan of Georgia, Kenneth S. Butler of Mansfield and the late Kevin P. Butler and Joseph Butler. She was the dear sister of Elaine Porter of Somerville, Maine. She is also survived by her cherished 19 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, as well as her loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, October 21st from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October22nd at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow at the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to the Mass Art Center, 888 South Main St., Mansfield, MA 02048 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com