Ode to Carol Evangeline Sheley Butler (8/7/1908 – 10/3/2012):

On August 7, 1908, in a farmhouse in Cape Vincent Town,

Was born Carol Sheley, later a lady of great renown.

Nine years later, brought by the stork,

Arrived brother Clarence born in Watertown, New York.

In spite of having his mouth washed out with soap by sister dear,

90 years later Clarence ended up as village of Adams “Citizen of the Year”.

In 1931 Carol married Bill Butler, the man in her life

And for sixty-four years proceeded to be a good wife.

They raised five children until they left “the nest”

And supported all thru college and business school,

Even though finances were hard pressed.

Nancy, Bruce, Dick, Dave, and Pete helped round out the family tree

By adding additional Butlers and Hills to increase the Butler family.

Spouses: Dick (Nancy), Linda (Dick), Jan (Dave), Pat and later Marleen (Peter) rounded out the mix,

Along with Bruce’s partner Paul, who’s always there to help when problems need a fix.

Sending greeting cards and letters was Carol’s passion and delight.

Many hours were spent picking just the right cards for friends and family alike.

Writing letters in a humorous way

During the Depression helped her cope with many a dark day.

Family dinners often for as many as twenty

Holidays or drop-ins – though finances were sparse, food was aplenty.

For many years Carol and Bill drove out West

Exploring Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and national treasures, with no protest.

Son Bruce was an instigator— that we all know

And Carol with an itchy foot was always ready to go.

Traveling cross-country meant long times between each rest stop,

Carol’s solution—her own little red and white chamber pot.

The pot provided privacy for going behind trees the best,

But privacy was a problem behind cactus in the West!

A three day raft trip on Utah’s Green River was lots of fun

With Carol clutching the raft (both eyes closed ‘til rapids were run).

With son Peter and wife Pat in the Army for a spell,

Carol and Bill toured Europe with many a tale to tell.

In 1985, from Brownville, Carol and Bill moved down Rochester way,

to a house in Irondequoit just before Christmas Day.

On top of the moving trucks filled with everything including spare wood

Was attached a Christmas tree from Watertown because Bill thought he should.

After Bill’s death in 1995 dachshund Lady Bug became Carol’s best friend.

The two walked daily in Irondequoit ‘til the walks had to end.

After a broken hip in 2006 Carol lived at St. Ann’s Heritage

And in Spring 2012 moved to St. Ann’s Cherry Ridge.

The food was great and the care real fine

And to Carol the staff took a real big shine.

In 2012 Carol reached 104

Still with a wonderful smile and a yen to be outdoors

On October 3, 2012 she gave up the fight

And today she’s benefiting U of R anatomical research because “it’s right”.

Carol was a wonderful record keeper and family scribe

Thus we’re left with 50 notebooks detailing the Butler and Sheley tribes

Pictures, letters, news clippings galore

Information gathered during her 100 years and more.

We all miss her for sure – she’s been an inspiration to us all.

No matter what – she did her best to enjoy life and have a ball!

Her family – brother, children, niece, grandchildren great and great-great grandchildren thank St. Ann’s from the bottom of our heart.

In elder care you’re the best and more than do your part!

Carol’s family invites friends and family members to either or both memorial services.

1) Wed. Oct. 10, 2012 @ 2:30 PM, St. Ann’s Community Chapel, 920 Cherry Ridge Blvd (across from Webster Schroeder High School).

2) Sat. Nov 10, 2012 @3:00 PM, Adams Baptist Church, 24 E. Church St., Adams, NY (south of Watertown).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

St. Ann’s Foundation, 1500 Portland Ave., Rochester, NY 14621; or,

Adams Baptist Church, 24 E. Church St., Adams, NY 13605

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