Bernadine Butler, art teacher
Bernadine "Bernie" Butler, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mia Jones and Kent Jones of West River, Md.; two grandchildren, Vigs Jones Clarfield of Germantown, Md., and Ryan Jones of Chicago, Ill.; and two sisters, Jean Corcoran of Philadelphia, Pa., and Nancy Cappello of Langhorne, Pa. She was born Nov. 28, 1933, in Hazleton, Pa., the eldest daughter of Albert and Helen Cappello. She spent her last years living at Brightview South River in Edgewater, Md., but is formerly from Rehoboth Beach. She and her husband of 61 years, Howard Butler, also spent winters and springs in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, enjoying the beautiful city's warmth, colors, and culture.
Bernie was an art teacher at Lake Forest South and East Elementary schools in Harrington and Frederica for 25 years after earning her bachelor’s degree in art education at Delaware State College in Dover. She loved art, and was an amazing painter and sculptor, adding color to her life whenever possible. She also enjoyed knitting, sewing, and many other forms of arts and crafts. Bernie and Howard spent their retirement years traveling the world and were very involved with the community in Rehoboth Beach while at home. She played bridge, was a teacher and student at the School of Lifelong Learning, did yoga, and was a member of the Four Seasons Progressive Dinner Group. She loved being a grandmother and spent hours providing art projects and playing games with her grandchildren when they were young. She loved music and dancing throughout her life, and even when she rarely spoke in her declining years, she would still sing songs and dance to the music.
Family and friends are invited to Bernie's memorial gathering from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, at Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, Md.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Online condolences may be offered at kalasfuneralhomes.com.
