Obituary of Helen M. Butler

Helen M. Butler, age 95, of Hampton NJ died Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Warren Haven Nursing Facility in Oxford, NJ. Helen was born March 31, 1921 in Oxford, NJ. She is the daughter of the late Matthew J and Mary Ellen (Sexton) Mooney. She was predeceased by her husband of fifty-one years, John W. Butler in 1996. Helen traveled to Hawaii with her husband Jack Butler who served in the South Pacific as a lieutenant commander during World War II. The couple also traveled to Ireland. Upon graduating from Hackettstown High School in 1938, she worked at Oxwall products and J.P. Murphy's department store in Washington,N.J. She was a voracious reader enjoying mysteries and books on Ireland. She entertained her children and friends alike by reciting poems she learned in grammar school such as The Raven, Sea Fever and The Spider and the Fly. Helen's children attended Hampton School prior to it having a cafeteria necessitating all children go home for lunch. Helen fed any and all who came home with her children and read to them. She devoutly prayed the rosary daily, took pride in completing the New York Times crossword puzzle, was a fierce Jeopardy competitor as well as being a longtime fan of the New York Yankees. After raising her family, Helen worked for Hampton Public School for over 30 years in various capacities. She retired at the age of 86 as the Secretary to Chief School Administrator. She also spent several years on the Hampton Election Board. Helen was a parishioner at The Church of St. Ann for seventy years and was the oldest living member of the Rosary Altar Society. She was predeceased by her six siblings, Caroline Mooney, Matthew Mooney, Mary Mooney, Agnes Mooney, Margaret Mooney Zanks and Anne Kappler. Also preceding her were her two sons Billy in 1949 and Terence in 2011. Helen is survived by her seven children, daughters: Rosemary Butler of Hyannis , MA and Monica (Ed) Hornich of Hillsborough, NJ, and five sons: Jack (Donna) Butler of Annandale, NJ, Edward Butler of Glen Gardner, NJ, Brian (Deb) Butler of Hampton, NJ, Matthew Butler of Aiken, SC and Christopher (Terese) Butler of Stewartsville, NJ; She also is survived by seven grandchildren; Will Jadick, Erin and Bridget, Patty and Grace Butler, and Emma and Matt Hornich. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 17 at The Church Of St. Ann, 6 Church Street, Hampton, NJ. Interment will follow at the family plot in the church cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to gather at the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton NJ on Monday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm also on Tuesday morning from 9:30am till 10:30am before mass. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Helen to the Church of St. Ann donations may be made through www.inmemoryof-memorial.org. For more information or to share memories with the family please visit www.martinfh.com