Barbara Butler
Mystic — Barbara Elizabeth (Sargent) Butler of Stonington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2015.
Known for her work ethic, belief in the importance of education, loyalty to her husband, support for the efforts of her children and grandchildren, she gave guidance and great love to her family and friends.
Born on June 18, 1928, to Frank and Gertrude Sargent of Watertown, Mass., Barbara graduated from Simmons College Prince School of Retailing in 1951, and promptly moved to Manhattan to start her career as a buyer at Abraham & Straus.
She met the love of her life, Dudley W. Butler, in June, 1955, at his Amherst College reunion. They married in January, 1956, and began a life of sailing and raising a family in rural Connecticut. Barbara later worked as a manager in various retail stores in southeastern Connecticut, including the Outlet Co., Potpourri of Olde Mystick Village, and the Children’s Place of Lighthouse Square. She loved modern art, design and architecture, especially the contemporary home on Deans Mill Road that she and Dud built in 1961. It was on that dirt road with 5 acres overlooking the reservoir where she developed her love of nature; feeding the birds, chastising the squirrels, letting the dogs roam free. She enjoyed golf and especially sailing, both racing and cruising. She liked to be busy; often chatting, watching the TV news, knitting an afghan and doing the New York Times crossword puzzle, simultaneously. In retirement, Barbara was a faithful volunteer in the library of Deans Mill Elementary School in Stonington where three of her granddaughters were students. She was a cheering grandmother at many Williams School events, and a hardworking friend at the Mystic & Noank Library.
Her husband, Dudley, predeceased her in 2003.
She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Dale and Dieter Zumsande of Stonington, Laurel A. Butler and Chris Daniels of Mystic, and Sharon L. Butler and Jonathan Stevenson of New York City; her five grandchildren, Sarah Zumsande Watts (Bryan), Emma Charlotte Zumsande, Eric Butler Daniels, Jessica Butler Daniels and Lena Butler Curland; and her new great-granddaughter, Nina Elizabeth Watts. She is also survived by her siblings, Alan Hughes Sargent of Methuen, Mass., and Beverly Sargent Cheney of Jamaica Plain, Mass., and their families.
Since moving in 2009, Barbara made many new friends with the staff and residents of Academy Point and Apple Rehab, Mystic. We thank you all for your love, support and encouragement. It truly made a difference.
In accordance with Barbara’s wishes, services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation of time or money to the Stonington Free Library or the Mystic & Noank Library.