Reverend E. Laura Butler passed peacefully to heaven on May 23, 2017, at home and surrounded by friends, as was her wish. She was predeceased by her parents, Rev Ralph and Elisabeth Butler, her Auntie Grace Baker, and her brother, Rev Ralph Butler. She leaves behind her sister-in-law, Wanda Butler of Bremerton, WA, her oldest friend of 76 years, Dr. Jacquie Martin, of Tacoma, WA and many other very close friends who she considered her family.
“Miss B” lived a remarkable life, filled with her faith and love for others. She was never too busy for anybody in need, and she fostered a love for God in many people throughout her years of ministry at Metropolitan United Church, in her work with youth, and with her passion and support of Camp Pringle at Shawnigan Lake.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, June 17th at 2:00 PM at First Metropolitan United, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Laura’s memory to the BCSPCA, Our Place, Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, George Pringle Memorial Camp Society or a charity of your choice.
God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Brenda Ottosen
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Amie Mowat Miss B was a family friend for decades… I was just thinking of her and a search came up with her beautiful tribute
I am one of the many honoured and blessed by special memories of this beautiful woman.
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Ray Joyce I had the pleasure of talking with Rev. Butler by phone and I’m sorry I never got the chance to meet her in person. She spoke very fondly of her time at Boston University’s School of Theology. A visit from her good friend, Dr. Harrell Beck, to her church in 1995 after so many years, was a highlight. Her generous support of the Beck Chair of Hebrew Scripture, named in his honor, was much appreciated. On behalf of the School of Theology we send our condolences to her family and close friends.
God bless,
Ray Joyce
BU School of Theology
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Marcoult Florence Dear Laura
I wish we could have spent more time together but living 9000km away made it complicated. You were such a great person and all the moments spent with you were full of joy. I will always remember your way of laughing, your way if trying to say some french words. You were so kind and generous; if everyone on this planet was like you there would be no more wars.
I will miss you
Rest in peace
Love
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Martine PELLIER LAURA,
La vie m’a offert le grand privilège de te rencontrer sur le chemin de la vie, quelle joie !!!
Ta gaieté, ton humour, ta générosité, ta spontanéité, ta grande vision des choses faisait que la vie paraissait être une aventure passionnante.
Avec deux diamants comme toi et Jacquie je me sens très riche de cette amitié si particulière que vous m’avez offert.
Ton souvenir continuera d’illuminer ma vie à travers tous les souvenirs que j’ai eu la grande joie de partager à tes côtés.
Merci pour tout ce que tu as su transmettre avec autant de naturel et de joie.
Repose en paix.LAURA,
Life has given me the great privilege of meeting you on the path of life, what joy!
Your gaiety, your humor, your generosity, your spontaneity, your great vision of things made life seem like an exciting adventure.
With two diamonds like you and Jacquie, I feel very rich with that special friendship you have offered me.
Your memory will continue to illuminate my life through all the memories that I had the great joy of sharing with you.
Thank you for all that you have transmitted with such naturalness and joy.
Rest in peace.
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steve baines due to the fact that i am working so many shifts i am sorry i cannot make saturday afternoon. i will be in bed sleeping before the service and getting up about 1900hrs to go to work. i remember coming down to bremerton wa. when i was 16 going to mt rainer with miss b and youth group at your house before going to mt rainer. i am working 12 graveyard shifts at independant living in ladysmith as well as driving during the day plus doing ground work and involved with medical alert sales. would love to see everyone again but i have to do all of this to keep everything going. i also deliver 6 days a week during the day.want to buy a farm.250-324-6666 or 250-701-5338. miss b has been such a great inspiration in my life. it is so incredible on how she has helped so many of us in all our lives.
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Grace Buchanan Rev.E Laura Butler was one of the kindest andmost gentle people I have been privileged to know. True bright light in this world! We have many fond memories of Laura as she toured us around Victoria and Camp Pringle! We will miss you! Rev. Laura was a first cousin of my mother.
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Debra Becker (née Crozier-Smith) Miss B had the sweetest, warmest smile of any person I have known. It was an exact mirror of her soul. She knew how to love and did so unconditionally. That never changed. She will not be forgotten.
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Dorothy, Gary and Margaret Zilkie Having enjoyed a very close friendship with Laura over many years, I often remember snippets of her life and our friendship. She enjoyed all types of music and for many years we enjoyed many wonderful musical afternoons at the Victoria Symphony with other friends. We were always welcomed into her home for tea at a moments notice after a days outing, and there were many wonderful outings over the many years of our friendship. Her compassion for others, her deep love of church, family, friends,and her steadfast faith and trust in God and the world around her was remarkable. Laura was a truly remarkable woman. A treasured friend. Her presence will be missed by all who knew her. Her light continues to shine as she rests in peace with God.
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Nancy (Lundy) McMillin I, as so many, remember Miss B’s wonderful smile, her warmth and her hearty laugh. So many memories of our days at Metropolitan United Church, with her as our youth leader .. confirmation; later, officiating at our wedding; and even later, christening our children. She was a true gift to the church and to the people whom she touched.
In our thoughts and prayers.
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Linda (Robinson) Webster Miss B. was a very special lady; a “fixture” with a warm smile and lovely personality at Metropolitan United Church during my child/young adulthood years. My paternal grandparents were on the Board of Stewards, and my grandmother was head of the Primary Department (Sunday School) at Metropolitan for 50+ years. Miss B. knew our extended family very well. She married us, baptized some of us, confirmed many of us, and buried a lot of us. We will always be grateful for her kind supportive presence in our lives. Rest in peace Miss B. You will be missed, but know that your work on earth was an invaluable comfort to so many.
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Joan Robinson I first met Rev. Laura Butler as a young girl in Metropolitan Church and aside from my sisters’ marriages which were performed by her, I have not seen her since. I am now 70 yrs. old and have been away from Victoria for a long time but her face is as clear to me as ever. She was perhaps the kindliest minister I have ever known. She laughed easily and was always warm and generous with her time. I think her influence on me as a young girl always stayed with me as my memories of her are still very vivid. She was a wonderful compassionate person who was much loved for being inspirational and also displayed the human qualities we should all aspire to. My condolences to all the family.
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Susan Mays Dear Cousin Laura. We remember with fondness our visit to you and your visit to us. We may not have been close in miles but always close in our hearts and shared love of our Savior God. You are truly home now. Save us a spot. Your Ontario relatives Larry, Susan, Robin, and Sharon.
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Marion, Don Tangen & families Sincere condolences from The Tangen families.
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Lianne Hunter (nee Catt) Rev. Butler played a huge role in our lives. She married us in 1967 at Metropolitan united lovely photos of her leaning over while we signed register
then baptisms 1970, 1973. Married our daughter in 2003, baptised their girl in the house in 2006, came to my home when Mum passed on in 2014.
On all these occasions, Laura (Miss B) was the most positive of souls. We all
thought the world of her. God Bless.
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Margaret Wildeman How “Miss B” enhanced my life. Year 1967, my husband, our 3 year old son and I moved to Victoria. I didn’t know a soul. We obviously dropped a comment card at a Sunday morning service. Laura phoned, found that I was a young mother and immediately looped me into the Young Mothers Group…how I needed that contact and the friendships that followed. Then, I soon found myself working with her (and Danny) as a CGIT leader…what a group we had ! Our daughter arrived, of course baptized by Laura. Camp time came again at George Pringle, No, I couldn’t go and help, after all I had a baby. ” Of course you can” says Miss B…..just strap the baby onto your back and you will be Camp Mom. It was a wonderful camp that year. I will ferry across Saturday to honour a very special person. Will I perhaps see some of those young Moms (now grandmothers) or those special CGIT or camp girls ! Our memories will be about Miss B….we honour her….she was the best !
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Trudy de Goede Reverend Butler officiated at our wedding in August of 1981. I remember her with gratitude. My husband Frank Harrold and I extend sincere condolences to her family.
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Dianne ( Williston ) Pagurut Wonderful thoughts, warm memories of Rev. Laura from a 1956-61 CGIT gal with St. Aidan’s, Victoria Counsel and at George Pringle camp. Laura was a caring mentor. Thoughts and prayers are with family on her passing. Miss B” will be well remembered by many as she rests in peace with our God, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
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Rob Sharrocks Miss B will truly be missed. She always enjoyed dealing with the children especially in Confirmation class. After the classes were Confirmed each year, she would take the class over to Sol Duc Hot Springs and to visit Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains in Washington State, USA. She will be truly missed by all who knew her.
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Leeann I’m glad for the opportunity to acknowledge what a special person Laura was. An enlightened soul with a counsellor’s expertise at communication, she made everyone feel listened to, heard. A very rare thing these days. When someone like Laura comes into your life you never forget them. I will miss having tea and dinners with her. These are now treasured memories. Since time goes by in the ‘blink of an eye’ it won’t be too long before I meet you in the Garden for tea Laura. We’ll have another gathering. Lots of Love.
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Joe stewart I think she started her ministry at the skyway Methodist church in the late 40s. I think she baptized me.if anyone knows this is correct please let me know.
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Jacquie Rain tears herald a storm of pain in the lament of the wind…
The heart struggles against invading grief…
Let go…no, let God! What? Another good bye?
My very best anchor, Laurie, so solidly welded
to my aching spirit…oh my friend,my other self,
In the strength of God’s eternal love
we believe beyond proof… You will not just leave
You will prepare the way… ce n’est qu’un AU REVOIR! JM
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Patricia (Sunderland) Hubble This made me so sad today! I loved Miss B, and remember so many happy experiences with her in my earlier days. She was my mentor when I taught Sunday School at Metropolitan United; and she even officiated at my marriage (twice!). She was a very special person, and I remember her fondly. Rest in peace, Miss B.
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Robin Rasmussen Reverend Butler officiated at my wedding 47 years ago. She was a sweet, kind person who shone God’s light into every corner. She was a constant and faithful servant.
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Alison G. Murray She Blooms Where She’s Planted
To a remarkable lady, “Miss B”, I will cherish our time together, Thanks be to God
I wish I had attended, my condolences to her loved ones.
Rev Laura Butler was wonderful role model for me, in 1970 leading a congregation with her kind solid, wisdom, made me feel like women leaders were part of life, years later when she married us, bringing a peaceful, reverent focus of effort and kindness to our new task at hand. Asking our thoughts on LGB in UC theology, my response was – Did they meet the qualifications. She smiled.
Beautiful soul who lives on in me and undoubtedly many, many others. Still married 35 years! Thank you.