In Memory of Dorothy Butler

 My Aunt Dot, Dorothy Ann Bancroft Butler, passed away on May 1, 2025. 

Aunt Dot was my godmother and was one of the adults who was always there for me as a child and as an adult. 

My first memory from the age of three or four is of my Aunt Dot. She and Uncle Harry were living at my grandparents’ house while their house was being built and I was living on the same property. One day, my mom and my siblings and I walked up to see her. I I had my doll to show her and she showed me her new baby, Rhonda. “This is my doll,” she told me. Rhonda and Aunt Dot will always be linked in my mind, always together, always there for each other. 

Aunt Dot was a wonderful aunt and a wonderful mother, an example to me of so much that is good. 

 

I remember every summer going to spend a week at Aunt Dot’s house with her and Uncle Harry, Rhonda and Amy and then after many years, Daphne. What a good week we always had! That big back yard, the basement with so many toys, picking corn at the Butler farm down the road, going swimming at the Lake. I always felt special when I was with Aunt Dot. 

One day while riding in the car, Rhonda and I got into a small argument. This was unusual, as we always got along quite well. Aunt Dot turned around from the front seat and gently reprimanded us. This is the only time I can ever remember her calling me out and it was upsetting because of that. I never wanted to make her think ill of me again. 

She took time for me and that is probably the best gift she could give me. 

 

When I made my first communion, Aunt Dot gave me my first chapter book, Heidi. I remember reading it at school, but the teacher wouldn’t let me take it out on the playground because she said I needed to run around, bit those of you who know me will know, I just wanted to read that book. 

She encouraged me in my life long love of reading. 

 

As an adult, every year on my birthday, Aunt Dot sent me a birthday card. She never missed. And her Christmas card was always the first one I received. When I was in the Peace Corps, she was one of my most regular correspondents. The first year I spent in South Korea, I was often lonely and letters from home were very important. I will always be grateful for her letters to me at that time. 

She taught me the importance of reaching out to people and letting them know they were loved.

Aunt Dot celebrated all the big achievements in my life. Here she is at my high school graduation and at my wedding. 

 

 

Aunt Dot was my mom’s closest sibling, in age, and they loved each other dearly. They both set an example of how important our siblings are and I know my mom is so sad to lose her little sis. I am thankful for that relationship.

 

Having  Aunt Dot and her family in my life has been such a blessing to me.  I will miss her forever, but am glad I have Rhonda, Amy and Daphne to remind me of her love. I wish I could have  been at her funeral, but, unfortunately, I was traveling and unable to return in time. I am comforted to know that Aunt Dot and Uncle Harry are together again.