Mary Ellen Butler
Mary Ellen Butler, dear wife, mother, and sister, passed away peacefully in her Albuquerque home on May 27.
Her courage and good cheer never faltered during a year of treatment for appendix cancer.
Mary Ellen was born on August 27, 1947 in Oakland, California, the middle child in her family of five sisters. Mary Ellen grew up in Albuquerque, attending St. Pius High School where she was active in theater and dance; she also played the violin in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. She earned both a BA and an MBA from UNM and a degree in computer science from TVI. Mary Ellen had a versatile, dynamic mind and was equally adept at coding as she was at turning a phrase. She had a successful career as a Systems Engineer in the aerospace industry for 25 years, working for TRW, Northrup Grumman, General Dynamics, TASC, and SEA. Mary Ellen and Rod Campbell were married in San Francisco in July, 2010 and embarked on nearly a decade of fun.
Mary Ellen ("Grand M" to her grand-children) was a dear and lovely friend to many, a connoisseur of rose bushes, an adroit bridge partner, and a violinist in the family band. Her formidable Scrabble playing often left her opponent 100 points behind. Mary Ellen was always up for an adventure-roller blading, sailing the New Mexico lakes, hiking Half-Dome in Yosemite, or playing a rollicking game of Hearts. She was an eternal optimist, and could often be found with her feet up, enjoying "the life of Riley" with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Tasteful and beautiful, Mary Ellen was the peacemaker in her large family and a harmonist in life--smoothing ruffles, adding richness and texture to every endeavor.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, Rod Campbell; daughters Jennifer Nail and Nikayla Nail Thomas (Aaron Thomas); four grand-children, Alexander Pi and Olivia Nail-Beatty, Jacqueline and Berent Thomas; and her four sisters, Sally Rendell, Therese (Art Martinez), Virginia Butler (Les Fishman), and Colleen (Vinnie Piazza). Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Dorothee (Murphy) Butler, her brother in-law Mitch Rendell, and her first husband, Nick William Nail II.
Mary Ellen was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held at the University of New Mexico Alumni Memorial Chapel on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers for the service, please consider planting something in your own garden that reminds you of her.