November 1, 1929 – May 15, 2024
Mary Joan Sweet Butler passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on May 15, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 1, 1929, she was the eldest daughter of Dr. Austin Sweet and Mildred Jaquith Sweet of Martinsville, Indiana.
Music was her life-long passion. She attended Interlochen Music Camp in high school and went on to earn bachelors and masters degrees in Cello Performance at Indiana University. It was there she met her husband to be, Herbert Butler, also a cellist. They were married in 1952 and lived in San Antonio, TX during Herbert’s military duties at Fort Sam Houston. Following his service, they moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, and ultimately settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan where Mary became a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony, and a noted cello teacher both privately and at Western Michigan University, Albion College, and Hope College. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo.
Mary was always eager to learn, and as the devoted mother of two sons and the wife of a husband who loved the outdoors, became a Cub Scout den mother, and later took up activities such as hiking, backpacking, and skiing. She loved to read, devouring books on photography, nature, bird watching, history, and politics. Her interest in photography and darkroom work led to her exhibiting beautiful prints of her photos at the Kalamazoo Art Center. She was an avid quilter as well, gifting beautiful handmade quilts to all in her extended family. Following the death of her husband in 1983 she engaged her interests by traveling to places such as Alaska, the Amazon River, the Galapagos Islands, Thailand, and Kenya on birding and photography expeditions. She also remained active as a cellist, performing chamber music with friends, playing in the cello ensemble Octocelli, and performing with the Kalamazoo Philharmonia well into her 80’s. In all her endeavors she was a good friend who earned love and respect from her students and colleagues.
Her final years were spent in Houston near her sons and their families. In addition to the staff at the Village of the Heights in Houston, two very special caretakers, Iris and Maria, were a blessing to her.
She was deeply loved by her family and is survived by two sisters, Maurine Bray, and Sarah Roland, her two sons, David Butler and Jeffrey Butler, their wives Andrea and Wendy, 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.
Friends are cordially invited to join the family for a visitation on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home 311 North Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546 (281) 992-7200.
Funeral services will be at the Costin Funeral Home in Martinsville, Indiana on May 25, 2024. Visitation begins at 10:00 A.M. with a memorial service following at 11:00 A.M. Interment will take place immediately following the memorial service at Hilldale Cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Kalamazoo Symphony or the Audubon Society.
