Anne F. Butson

ANNE F. BUTSON

Anne F. Butson, 81, of Lebanon, New Hampshire, died peacefully with Snow, one of her beloved cats, at her side on October 5, 2017, at Riverglen House in Littleton, New Hampshire.

Anne was born on March 9, 1936, the daughter of Margaret and Ernest (Jim) Butson of Lisbon, New Hampshire, where she grew up. After graduating high school at Chapel Hill School in Waltham, Massachusetts, where her quiet, but always kind, cheerful, and pleasant personality won her lifelong friends, she attended Lesley College. She moved to Arizona for several years, particularly enjoying springtime when the desert was full of gorgeous flowers. Back in New Hampshire when she was not working at the Dutch Treat or the Littleton Hospital , she enjoyed spoiling her niece and nephews, planning and growing her flower gardens, hiking with King, her German Shepard, reading, arguing politics( probably the only time she might raise her voice and be less pleasant), playing board games and BINGO, and planning her next trip. Among her trips were visits to Argentina, Canada, Las Vegas, our Northwest states, and Las Vegas.

Later Anne moved to Lebanon, New Hampshire, and worked at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital and also raised and showed Maine Coon Cats. Although she would never brag, the prize ribbons won by her cats were proudly displayed in her home. Anne loved her cats and her vetting of anyone wishing to have one of her cats would have impressed the FBI.

When Anne became wheelchair bound, her wonderful aides and visitors soon learned of the strong bond between Anne and her cats. It was unusual to visit her and not see Snow, or Dancer, or Sarah, purring comfortably in her lap. Somehow during the following years of pain and decline, Anne managed to keep her independence, her sense of humor, almost never complained, and was always thoughtful of others. When she finally became unable to live alone in her home, she and Snow were able to move into Riverglen House together.

Anne is survived by her brother, Robert Butson, of Littleton, NH; her sister, Rebecca Butson Schuyler of Newmarket, NH; her niece, Jill Lampert; her nephews, Chad Butson, Jared Butson, Shawn Schuyler, and Chris Schuyler; her cousins, June and Lissa; and 10 great nephews.

SERVICES: Anne will be laid to rest beside her parents in Grove Hill Cemetery in Lisbon, NH, and her family will hold a private ceremony to celebrate her life at a later date.