Patricia "Patsy" Burke Butler's Obituary
Patricia “Patsy” Burke Butler, left this world too early on Wednesday, July 14 2021 at UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. Her three daughters were only allowed by her side in the final moments as she was overcome by complications from the COVID-19 virus.
Patsy was born January 19, 1944, in Culpeper, VA to Joseph Burrell (JB) Burke and Doris Butler Burke of Boston, VA. She graduated from Culpeper High School in 1962 and married the love of her life, Samuel “Wayne” Butler in January 1963. Early in their marriage, the couple lived in Arlington, VA but returned to Boston, VA in 1967 where for more than 40 years, she made a home for her children and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Patsy was a lifelong member of the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Scrabble, VA, and was very active while raising her family, giving generously of her time and quietly supporting many activities for the youth of the church. She gladly donated a parcel of family land to help her church realize their dream of having a parsonage. She loved singing in the choir, working in the kitchen with all the ladies, and enjoying fellowship with the church family.
Throughout her life, Patsy balanced work and family. In her career, she was highly regarded and well-liked and made some true and lifelong friends. Her last job was with Navy Federal Credit Union in Vienna, VA, where she received The President’s Award for Service Excellence before retiring in March 2011 after almost 20 years of dedicated member service. In retirement, she realized a lifelong dream of living in the Outer Banks of North Carolina until dedication to family brought her back to Virginia in 2015. She was most recently living in Madison, VA, yet always longed to be at the beach, treasuring every vacation that took her back to her beloved OBX.
Patsy was so much to so many - protective sister, loving aunt and cousin, loyal friend, selfless, loving wife and mother, and her grandchildren’s beloved “Nana”. A strong and beautifully fierce woman, she set a high example of kindness, generosity, integrity, and authenticity; often bearing much with silence and grace. She was not afraid to share her opinion and speak her truth but was also a good and kind listener. She enjoyed many things during her life; beach trips, gardening, canning (her Dilly Beans and Black Raspberry Jelly are famous), making and enjoying good food but most of all, get-togethers where she was surrounded by the people she loved. Patsy was the hub of our family. She was one of those people and her home (wherever it was) one of those places where friends and families were drawn together and always knew that they were welcome.
She is survived by her children; Carolyn (Paul) Keithley of Leesburg, Angela Butler of Madison, Tamela Butler of Centreville, and her grandchildren: Elise Keithley, Nicholas Keithley, Jacob Hunt, and Logan Hunt. She is also survived by her sister, Faye Burke Hoskins, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Wayne Butler, who died on February 15, 1997, and hundreds of thousands of other Americans infected with COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Patsy Butler will be announced and held at a later date. In remembrance and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Patsy’s name to the following two local hospice organizations: Heartland Hospice, 493 Blackwell Rd., #319, Warrenton, VA 20186-2639 or Kindred Hospice, 941 Glenwood Station Lane, Unit 204, Charlottesville, VA 22901.
An online tribute wall and guestbook are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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