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Mrs. Blanche Nichols Butler
Service: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 11:00 AM St. Edward the Confessor Church 205 Jackson Ave. Syosset, NY	VIEW/SEND CONDOLENCES   SEND FLOWERS
Blanche Nichols Butler, 86, formerly of Syosset, NY, passed away September 17, 2009, at the Thompson House in Rhinebeck, NY after a brief illness. Formerly she resided at Mountain Valley Manor in Kingston, NY. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Blanche graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1944. She served as a R.N. with the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and was stationed at Baer Field in Fort Wayne. On January 17, 1947, she married Richard T. Butler, the love of her life, and continued to work as a R.N. while supporting her husband as he studied at Purdue University. While Dick was establishing his career at Westinghouse, Blanche made homes for their growing family in Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL; Livingston, NJ; and Syosset, NY. When her children started school, Blanche worked as a school nurse for Syosset Public Schools and retired in 1986. She often accompanied school groups to the Ashokan Reservoir Campus, and fell in love with the Hudson Valley. Blanche was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and was instrumental in establishing a Bridge Club at Huntington Country Club on Long Island while she was a member there. During the 46 years she lived in Syosset, she was a faithful communicant at St. Edward the Confessor Church and, as a lifelong Catholic, she participated in many parish activities. Blanche was the daughter of Victor Hugh and Theresa Nichols, who both predeceased her. She was very proud that her grandfather, James H. Nichols, sent the telegram to Abraham Lincoln declaring that Lee had surrendered at Appomattox. She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Nichols, CSJ, of East Meadow, NY, and her brother Richard Nichols of Portage, Michigan. Her beloved husband, Dick, predeceased her in January, 2000. In addition, Blanche is survived by three children: Richard T. Butler, Jr. and his wife Tracey, of Hyde Park, NY; Michael E. Butler and his fiancé, Elysa Williams of Hermosa Beach, California; and Kathryn L. Laney and her husband Ed of Worthington, Ohio. She also is survived by four grandchildren: Emily Butler of Manhattan, NY; Richard T. Butler, III of Highland NY; Nichole Laney Deis of Worthington; OH, and Christopher Laney of Denver, CO; three great-grandchildren, and a large, extended family in the Midwest. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 205 Jackson Avenue, Syosset, NY, followed by interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Huntington, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Blanche’s name be made to the Hospice Foundation, 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. To send a condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.
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