BUTTS, Fern

Sydney

It is with broken hearts that the family of Fern Elizabeth Butts, RTR, RDMS, age 61, announces her peaceful passing surrounded by her loved ones on April 4th, 2017 at home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Fern was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on August 2nd, 1955, but lived in Sydney her entire life. She was the daughter of Marjorie (Daye) and the late George Hurst Butts.

Besides her mother, she is survived by her sister, Karen Tammy Garnier and her brother, Paul Butts; nieces, Jennifer (Clyde), Kimberley (Bradley), Shannon (Jason) and Georgia. She is also survived by grand-nephews, Harrison and Lachlan.

She was predeceased by a brother in infancy.

Sometimes God calls his children home early because they are deserving of heaven now, rather than later. No amount of time with Fern would ever be long enough, but God must need our Fern elsewhere. Daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Fern leaves many hearts hurting with her passing. Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing her would agree that her smile and kind nature would light up any room and instantly make you feel special. As a devout Catholic, Fern sought out others who were also battling their own illnesses to offer them her support and comfort. She was incredibly loyal and loving and truly rejoiced in the good fortunes of others.

Upon graduating from Holy Angels High School, Fern completed the X-Ray Technologist program at the Victoria General in Halifax and worked there briefly before returning to Sydney then later studied in Winnipeg, MB to become an Ultrasound Technologist. She worked for many years at the Sydney City Hospital and at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. In the early years of her career, Fern worked as an X-Ray Technologist in Australia, combining her love of travel with the love of her profession. She enjoyed her career in the health care profession very much retiring only when illness made it impossible to continue.

As an avid gardener, she loved tending her flowers and drew much pleasure from their colour and varieties. She also enjoyed the summer months at the family cottage in Ben Eoin with her family and pets. Fern was a member of the Sacred Heart choir and thoroughly enjoyed singing at Mass and at guest homes in the local area. She had a zest for adventure and travelled to many countries throughout the world. In retirement, she loved spending time working with her brother at his bar and socializing with the customers who became friends.

Visitation will take place from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2017 at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel in Sydney.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, at St. Theresa’s Church in Sydney with Fr. Dennis Lamey officiating. Reception to follow at St. Theresa’s Parish hall.

On Fern’s behalf, the family would like to thank Dr. Carol Critchley and Dr. Ron MacCormick for their compassion and care during Fern’s long battle. We would also like to thank the nurses in the Oncology Department, the VON, the Palliative Care Department for their compassion and gentle care of our Fern in her home. With this in mind, we request any donations in her memory be made to the Cape Breton Cancer Patient Care Fund. As Fern loved gardening, flowers are also more than welcome.

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times, and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun, with all the happy memories that I leave when my life is done.