Mabel Butler

Mabel C. Butler, 99, passed away Monday, August 27, 2012. The last surviving child of Alva and Dora Childs, she was born in Wakefield, Nebraska on January 15, 1913. Four brothers and one sister preceded her in death. No local services are planned. Graveside services will be held in Spokane, WA, at a later date. Like her siblings, Mabel’s passion was education. Following her graduation from the University of Nebraska, with a B.A. in Biological Science and a minor in History, her teaching career encompassed the full gamut; from one room, multiple grade elementary schools in rural Nebraska, to teaching senior-level high school history students, and ending her career in Spokane, Washington, teaching third graders. Mabel married William R. (Ray) Butler, in 1940. While Ray was overseas for two years, during World War II and on active duty service in the U.S. Navy, Mabel worked as a claims examiner for the Navy Department in Washington D.C. After the war, Ray and Mabel settled in Spokane, Washington, where Mabel resided until 2002. Ray passed away in 1996 at the age of 84. Soon after that Mabel decided to move to Roswell in order to be closer to her daughter, Linda, and her family. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Stan Phipps of Roswell; grandson, Peter Phipps of Albuquerque; granddaughter and husband, Jennifer Phipps and Ted Calhoon and great grandson, Ethan Keane Calhoon, of Annapolis, MD. Mabel is also survived by her loving nephew and nieces; Paul Ethridge, Rockville, MD; Janet Risseeuw, Madrillon, VA; Mary Childs Leeper, Lakewood, CO; Ellin Childs Hayes, Littleton, CO; and Polly Childs Rogers, Highlands Ranch, CO. A son, Stanley Butler, also survives her. Special thanks to Jennifer Madison, R.N., and her staff at Bee Hive Assisted Living for their extraordinary love and devoted care during the last year and ten month’s of Mabel’s life. Stella, Elsa, and Hanna, her Bee Hive “sisters” were a constant source of friendship. Endearments include Dora Brown, her Roswell neighbor and “sister”; and exceptional friends, Johnny Lynch, Jan Runyan, Martha Leyba and Debbie Trujillo. Each of these individuals touched Mabel’s life in a unique way. Mabel was a woman who embodied the values and courtesies of her time. She loved flowers, birds and music. She was an artist and teacher, not only in the classroom, but also of the many lessons of life. Mabel loved being a mother, grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She loved sweets, nature, and going to the orchards of Greenbluff, WA, to pick fresh fruit for her pies and jams. A friend once said, “My children only met Mabel once, but every time they call me they ask about her.” She had a smile that brightened and warmed every room she entered and came from a time when people routinely answered the phone with a cheerful “good morning” or “good afternoon.” In lieu of flowers please make a gift to the charity of your choice. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories in the online register book at andersonbethany.com Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mabel Butler

January 15, 1913 - August 27, 2012