Barbara Bartlett Butler
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Barbara Bartlett Butler, 87, of Barnard, VT passed away January 1, 2021.
Barbara was born December 4, 1933, the first child of Mildred Towle and Gernald Theo Bartlett, of Haverhill, Massachusetts. Barbara and her sister, Betty Jean, grew up in Haverhill, where her father ran an oil delivery business, surrounded by his hunting dogs and ponies which he raced in the county fairs.
Barbara learned to play the piano at an early age and playing the piano was important part of her life and a source of great joy and fulfillment. Barbara attended Haverhill High School and subsequently the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists in Boston, where she earned a degree as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Barbara soon moved to Anaheim, California to work as a Dental Hygienist. On March 1, 1955, Barbara married Navy Ensign Charles Thomas (CT) Butler of Paintsville, KY. Over a 12 year period, CT and Barbara had five children and lived in various Navy towns including Alameda, CA, Carmel Valley, CA, Albuquerque, NM and Sanford, FL. In 1965, Barbara's independence and initiative were on display when took the family to live in Tyrrhenia, Italy for five months during CT 's deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS America.
In 1967, while living in Sanford, FL, Barbara was widowed when CT died in a naval aviation training accident. Barbara was left as the mother of five children aged 2 through 11. Through her strength and love for her children, she provided them with a loving home and unconditional support. They continued to live in Sanford, Florida until 1971 when she moved the family to Lexington, KY to be closer to CT's family.
Barbara worked as a Dental Hygienist while living in Florida and Kentucky. She also returned to school at the University of Kentucky to earn her Bachelors of Allied Health Degree in 1982.
In March 1983, Barbara returned to her New England roots and established a home in Barnard, VT. Barbara loved the Vermont seasons and the wonderful community of friends and support that she found here. Since 1988, Barbara has shared her life in Vermont with Robert (Bob) McFadden. She worked for Bob as a Dental Hygienist before leaving Florida in 1971 and Bob never forgot her. In 1983, Bob tracked Barbara down and asked to visit her in Vermont. They quickly fell in love and were devoted companions for 32 years until Bob passed away in May of 2020.
Barbara was active in the Barnard community where she was a member of the Progressive Club and the Historical Society. She also served as the Water Commissioner for the Sonnenberg Association for many years. She initiated a project to preserve the Sugar House that was once owned by Dorothy Thompson and Sinclair Lewis, leading to the preservation and relocation of the structure to the Barnard town green.
Barbara most loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom she was immensely proud. Her favorite quote was "Of all the families in the world I have the best one!" Barbara is survived by daughter Mary Butler O'Keeffe and son-in-law Toby Baker of Danbury, CT, son Richard W Butler and daughter-in-law Lana Butler of Norfolk VA, son John C Butler and daughter-in-law Anna Butler of Melbourne Beach, FL and son Robert W Butler and daughter-in-law Amanda Butler of Fort Mill SC. Barbara is predeceased by her daughter Sharon K Butler. She is also survived by her sister Betty Jean Neal of Palm Desert, CA. as well as nine grandchildren (Christina, RJ, Savannah, Caroline, Hayden, CT, Jack, Jamie and Bennett) and five great-grandchildren (Avery, Charley, Peyton, Max and Jackson).
A service in memory of Barbara will be held when it is possible to do so. In the meantime, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Sharon K Butler Dental Scholarship at the University of Kentucky (https://uky.networkforgood.com/causes/6152-sharon-k-butler-memorial-endowment-fund) This is a scholarship that Barbara founded in memory of her daughter Sharon who was an Oral Surgeon in Kentucky.
The Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT is assisting the family. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com