In Memoriam

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Sister Beth Ellen Butler, OP

(1935-2024)

If someone in Miami in the late 1980s ever had a reason to interact with Chaplain Beth Butler of the Miami Police Department, he or she would likely have been surprised to discover that the trim woman in the blue police uniform was a nun.

But police work ran in the Butler family. Sister Beth’s father, Vincent, was in the Detroit Police Department for 25 years, and a cousin was a police officer as well. In a 2019 interview for a publication produced by Dominican Hospital, from which she had just retired, she said, “My father was a police officer. My mother was a saint. As I always say, when you put the two together, you get a Sister in criminal justice!”

Beth Ellen Butler, born on February 28, 1935, was the middle child of five born to Vincent and his wife, Margaret Cowhy Butler. She followed Robert and a sister, Donalda, and preceded two more brothers, Michael and Terry.

The family lived on Detroit’s west side, where Beth attended Coolidge Elementary School for her first six years of education and then went to Our Lady Gate of Heaven School for seventh and eighth grades. It was there that she met the Adrian Dominican Sisters and found herself drawn to “their spirit of joy, their excellent teaching,” and the fact that “they were always happy.”

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Beth's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Beth's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

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Ron 2 months agoReply

Sister Beth was an amazing lady in so many ways - Lucky me to have known her. I am so so sad to hear of her passing. Of Especial Note, I was a lay colleague teacher (Lutheran) of hers at St. Columba. Sister Beth was a great inspiration & jokester to the faculty & to parents and above all she loved by her 1st graders I remember one of my most cherish moments for all times - It was an early October evening at a Parent/ Meet Teacher Meeting - when I was standing just outside of Sister Beth's classroom, she was beginning her introduction of her 1st grade students' parents for the first. time ... I was taking a break from just finishing a meeting from my 6th student's parents for the 1st time for that school year - my meeting with parents was not exciting as her's as she met the parents of her 1st graders. It was then Sister Beth said - "I will not believe any of the stories your child say about your home life and I hope you will not believe any of their stories they say about me ". (Everyone laughs - a laugh of truth. I hope you all believe as I do - that a stone thrown in a pond reaches ripples places where such are needed - For Me, her ripple will always be Sister Beth's legacy -- Pass it along.

Susan Schwartz 4 months agoReply

What a lovely lady Soster Beth was! Loved by so many-such a big heart and great sense of humor. Howie and I will miss her❤️

Linda Felts 4 months agoReply

I remember Sister Beth at Dominican Hospital as I still work there now 38 years as RN. She was one of our favorite nuns with a great sense of humor, compassion and kindness she showed to the nurses and patients. She was a special woman and I loved this interview to get to know her better! She is with the Lord now in eternity!

Candy Strine 4 months agoReply

She was a great person to talk with. I remember helping to find her a find a house in when she was moving here. Rest in Peace, Sister Beth

Tagged With: Margaret Vincent, Sister Beth Ellen Butler / 1458 Views

Cemetery of the Adrian Dominican Sisters

Our Adrian Dominican cemetery with its circular headstones is a beautiful place of rest for women who gave their lives in service to God — and a peaceful place for contemplation and remembrance.