Sister Anita Butler, SP
July 29, 1936 - July 26, 2024
Obituary
(Sister Francesca)
Sister Anita Butler (Sister Francesca), age 87, a Sister of Providence for 69 years, died July 26, 2024 at home, Seattle, WA. Vigil: Sunday, August 18, 2024, 6:30 pm at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Ave SW, Seattle, WA. Funeral Mass: Monday, August 19, 2024, 11:00 am at St. Joseph Residence. Bonney Watson Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements.
Sister Anita was born on July 29, 1936, in Los Angeles, but raised in Burbank. She was the oldest child of Leslie and Ruth Butler. She had two brothers, Gerald and Michael. Family was important to Sister Anita – her stable family values shaping her life. She stated, “I was blessed to grow up with supportive parents and brothers.”
When Sister Anita was a young child, her father, a ground transportation worker transferred to the new Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and moved his young family to St. Finbar School in Burbank, Calif. This is where Sister Anita, a fourth-grader, met and was taught by the Sisters of Providence. While as a student at Immaculate High School in Burbank, Sister Anita remained close to the Sisters of Providence at St. Finbar School, visiting the Sisters after school and on weekends. In 1954, she graduated from Immaculate High School and entered the Sisters of Providence community as a Postulant at Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle. She became a Novice in 1955, received First Vows in 1956 and Final Vows in 1961.
Her educational achievements include: a BS in Education, College of Great Falls (now University of Providence) in 1965, and a MEd (Masters in Education) in Education and High School Administration in 1971 from Loyola University, Los Angeles. Plus, she undertook on-going educational training and seminars in long-term care and health care administration.
Sister Anita lived life to the fullest, her philosophy being, “My whole life has been an adventure.” Her many ministries, and her love of her community and helping others reflect this. Her first mission as a Sister of Providence was as an elementary teacher at St. Joseph Grade School in Vancouver, Wash. (1956-58). Other missions as an elementary teacher took her to Sacred Heart School, Tacoma, Wash. (1957); Our Lady of Lourdes School, Vancouver, Wash. (1958-61); and St. Finbar School, Burbank (1961-63); and Holy Rosary School, Moxee, Wash. (1963-64). She ministered at Providence High School, Burbank, as a teacher and assistant principal (1964-72). She assumed principalship at St. Catherine School, Seattle (1972-74), From 1974 to 1979, she served as academic vice principal at Kennedy High School, Burien, Wash. After serving in teaching and administration in grade schools and high schools, Sister Anita became the religious community’s Provincial Treasurer (1980-89; 2005-10). She ministered as the regional director, long-term care, Providence Portland Medical Center (1993-98). She ministered as the superior/administrator at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle, the home for retired Sisters (2000-2005). She felt blessed by this special time. Because of her love of the Sisters of Providence mission, she was selected to be on the first team of Providence sponsors of Providence Health & Services. The sponsors work with the administrators and employees of the organization to uphold the values of the Sisters of Providence. Sister Anita served as a sponsor from 2010-17. She also served on several healthcare and financial boards.
Sister Anita will be remembered fondly for her compassion, loving presence, quick wit, wonderful sense of humor, intelligence, and an unwavering advocate for her Providence community. She was thankful for her community and knew being a Sister of Providence was a way of life.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Gerald. She is survived by her brother Michael, many loving nieces and nephews, and her religious community.
Hi Michael, We met through your sister, Sister Francesca, when she taught at St Joseph’s Grade School in Vancouver, WA. She was a wonderful person, friend, and teacher. She made point of introducing us when you visited with her in Vancouver. Great memories. Thank you, Terry Beard – 503.349.1245
I had the pleasure of working with Sister Anita in Oregon at the Providence Health & Services. Her leadership was marked with an eye on carrying out the mission of the Sisters of Providence to bring healing to the marginalized. She guided with compassion and practical business acumen. I have good memories of her smile and quiet laugh. My condolences to her family.
I met Sr Anita when she was Treasurer and was impressed with her knowledge, character and compassion. I later worked closely with Sr Anita when she was at Providence Portland and as leader of the regional long term care, Oregon — she was busy but always had time to listen and be a friend. My condolences to her family and the Sisters.