1947
Leslie
2012
Leslie (Coonley) Butler
April 27, 1947 — November 16, 2012
PRINCETON – Leslie (Coonley) Butler, 65, of Gregory Road, passed away peacefully under the loving care of her husband on Friday, November 16, 2012.
She was born in Princeton on April 27, 1947, daughter of John C. and Caroline (Cavender) Cooney, and lived most of her life in Princeton. Leslie is survived by her devoted husband of 44 years, Edward F. Butler; her two sons, Bryce P. Butler and his wife Diana and their children, Anthony and Chelsea of Elmira, New York, and Erin F. Butler and his wife, Maria Lucia, and their son, Benjamin, all of Waltham; her sisters, Helen Colcord of New York, Hanna Nunn of California and Holly Duxter of Rhode Island; a sister-in-law, Betty Ek and her husband Richard of Horsehead, New York; and many nephews and nieces.
As a child, Leslie enjoyed spending her summers with her grandfather, former U.S. Ambassador to China, Howard Coonley at Rittenhouse in Illinois; and played in the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Playhouse which her grandfather built for the family. Several of her younger years, she had assisted her step-father, Fred Mason of Princeton, as he completed his series of books on animals. A substantial collection of Mr. Mason’s sketches and paintings were kept in the Butler homestead and were so appreciated by Leslie these past few years.
She graduated from the Stoneleigh Burnham School in Greenfield and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Bay Path College. She retired in 1993 from Global Plastics Company in Leominster as their Head Financial Officer. Previously she was a cost accountant for the Riley Stoker Corporation in Worcester and was a dispatcher for the Princeton Police Department from 1973-1984.
Leslie’s greatest joy in life was cooking and baking traditional New England meals especially treats for her children and grandchildren during the holiday season. She treasured spending summers along the coast of Maine and always made the last stop at Goldenrod Taffy in York.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at Memorial Healthcare Services for their many years of care, along with her friend, Lisa Higgins Pollard and cousin, Carolyn Burnham, for their gentle and loving care; and to Dr. Neil Cannon and Richard Fleming, whose dedication to Leslie allowed her to receive care at home.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 5 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. Burial will be private in Grove Cemetery, Holden. Donations in Leslie’s memory may be made to the Princeton Public Library, 2 Town Hall Drive, Princeton, MA 01541.
To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit www.milesfuneralhome.com
She was born in Princeton on April 27, 1947, daughter of John C. and Caroline (Cavender) Cooney, and lived most of her life in Princeton. Leslie is survived by her devoted husband of 44 years, Edward F. Butler; her two sons, Bryce P. Butler and his wife Diana and their children, Anthony and Chelsea of Elmira, New York, and Erin F. Butler and his wife, Maria Lucia, and their son, Benjamin, all of Waltham; her sisters, Helen Colcord of New York, Hanna Nunn of California and Holly Duxter of Rhode Island; a sister-in-law, Betty Ek and her husband Richard of Horsehead, New York; and many nephews and nieces.
As a child, Leslie enjoyed spending her summers with her grandfather, former U.S. Ambassador to China, Howard Coonley at Rittenhouse in Illinois; and played in the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Playhouse which her grandfather built for the family. Several of her younger years, she had assisted her step-father, Fred Mason of Princeton, as he completed his series of books on animals. A substantial collection of Mr. Mason’s sketches and paintings were kept in the Butler homestead and were so appreciated by Leslie these past few years.
She graduated from the Stoneleigh Burnham School in Greenfield and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Bay Path College. She retired in 1993 from Global Plastics Company in Leominster as their Head Financial Officer. Previously she was a cost accountant for the Riley Stoker Corporation in Worcester and was a dispatcher for the Princeton Police Department from 1973-1984.
Leslie’s greatest joy in life was cooking and baking traditional New England meals especially treats for her children and grandchildren during the holiday season. She treasured spending summers along the coast of Maine and always made the last stop at Goldenrod Taffy in York.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at Memorial Healthcare Services for their many years of care, along with her friend, Lisa Higgins Pollard and cousin, Carolyn Burnham, for their gentle and loving care; and to Dr. Neil Cannon and Richard Fleming, whose dedication to Leslie allowed her to receive care at home.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 5 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. Burial will be private in Grove Cemetery, Holden. Donations in Leslie’s memory may be made to the Princeton Public Library, 2 Town Hall Drive, Princeton, MA 01541.
To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit www.milesfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leslie (Coonley) Butler, please visit our flower store.
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