NORTHBOROUGH

Family provided life-story of Katherine Ann "Kathie" Butler

Katherine Ann Butler (née Flynn), affectionately known as Kathie, passed away on March 23, 2025, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, at the age of 70.

Born on October 9, 1954, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Kathie grew up with a love for learning and creativity. She graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1972 before continuing her education at Leicester Junior College, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts in 1974. LJC is also where she met the love of her life; Richard. Her passion for knowledge led her to further studies at Clark University, where she completed a Graphic Design Certificate in 1998. Later in life, she pursued legal studies at Becker College, earning an Associate of Science degree in 2004. During her time at Becker, she was inducted into the National Honors Society and subsequently, graduated with "Highest Honors."

Kathie shared 48 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Richard K. Butler. Together, they built a loving family that brought her immense joy. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Lee Butler, along with Stephanie's partner Jason Tervo and their children (Kathie's grandchildren, whom she adored and had special bonds with due to living in a multigenerational home, they are: Noah Paul Butler and Norah Ann Tervo Butler, all of Northborough, Massachusetts. She also leaves behind her son Nicholas Paul Butler of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and her chosen daughter Aliyia Zukowski of Fort Lauderdale.

She was predeceased by her parents, Vincent and Dorothy (Morton) Flynn, as well as four of her six siblings.

Kathie had been working at Future Electronics, and had been for over 20 years, at the time of her death.

Kathie had a deep appreciation for the arts and nature. She found joy in birdwatching, drawing, writing, and photography—capturing the beauty of the world around her through both words and images. Traveling was one of her greatest passions; she especially loved visiting Maine—the birthplace of her mother and where her parents first met—as well as Cape Cod and Florida. Time spent in Florida was particularly special to her as it allowed her to visit Nick and Alycia.

Kathie's warmth and creativity touched the lives of those who knew her. Her memory will live on through the love she shared with family and friends and the many moments she captured through her artistic pursuits.

Her family shares a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye which Kathie loved:

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there, I did not die!

Arrangements have been under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. To leave on online condolence please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.