- Date Of Birth: December 4, 1922
- Date Of Death: February 13, 2017
- State: Florida
Elaine Freeman Butler of Lakeland, FL., passed away on Monday, Feb 13, 2017. She was born December 4, 1922, in Portsmouth, NH, the daughter of Harold and Mildred Freeman. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Dana Freeman, and her loving husband of 73 years, Joel Thomas Butler.
Elaine’s greatest joy in life was her family, she is survived by two loving children, Joel Freeman Butler (Jane) and Carol Butler Schickel (Jake). She was a Nana to Jason Butler (Lucy), J.J. Schickel (Julie), Jamie DaSilva (Rui), Matt Schickel (Courtney) and Joey Zorn.
In her home, she was surrounded by pictures of her family; children, grandchildren and especially her nine great-grandchildren, Alex, Bear, Marley, Edie, Luca, Liv, Malu, Jackson and Blayne. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Joyce Butler and many nieces and nephews.
Elaine, a native of Portsmouth, NH, met Thomas, a marine, when he was stationed at Portsmouth Navy Yard.
Elaine was an enthusiastic and tireless volunteer for the AMVETS, Girl Scouts and the PTA. She had wonderful experiences with her Lakeland sorority group and was a Pink Lady for many years at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Elaine was always quick to lend a hand when she saw someone in need.
Elaine was a loving wife, mother and Nana. She was a constant and faithful friend and loved her water aerobics class, her KFC group, and her “family” from the Woodbury neighborhood.
We would like to thank all of the Brookdale family that helped make her life happy after Papa died and all the wonderful people at Cornerstone Hospice who assisted in keeping her comfortable in her final days.
She was loved by everyone she ever encountered and as one of her grandchildren said “she is leaving this earth the same way she did everything else – with amazing grace and elegance”. Heaven is definitely a little happier today.
