Dominican Sister of Peace Virginia Marie (Virginia Cora) Butler died on April 12, 2020, at the Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, OH.
Born in 1928, Sr. Virginia was one of four children born to Hazel Supp and Robert Butler of New York City. She entered the Congregation in 1950, made first profession in 1952 and perpetual profession in 1955. She served her Congregation and the people of God faithfully for 68 years.
Sister Virginia Marie earned a BA in Art from Rosemont College, her MA in Scripture from Providence College and a Certificate in Biblical Spirituality from the Catholic Theological Union. This education prepared her well for her retreat ministry in Florida, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania, and for her service to her retired Sisters in both Elkins Park and Danville, PA. She found her time at Lucy Easton Smith Residence for Women in Philadelphia, PA, to be among her most significant ministries.
Sister Virginia Marie also served her Congregation as both Novice Directress and Assistant Junior Mistress. Her beautiful calligraphy was used by many of the Congregation’s retreat ministries.
In 2001, Sister Virginia Marie published Go to Galilee: The Spiritual Geography of the Gospels, inspired by a study trip to the Holy Land.
In true Dominican fashion, Sister Virginia Marie changed residences a number of times in her later years, moving from Elkins Park, PA, to Danville, PA, to Saint Catharine, KY, to Oxford, MI, and finally to Mohun Health Care Center. She was always grateful for the warm welcomes that she received in each new community and contributed her own humor and joy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Hazel Supp Butler, her brothers, Robert, Jr. and Warren, and her sister, Hazel Schmitt. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A private funeral service and burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Columbus, OH, were held on April 21, 2020. A memorial service will occur at a future date.
Memorial gifts in Sister Virginia Marie Butler’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219 or submitted securely at oppeace.org
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To view a printable PDF copy of Sr. Virginia Marie’s memorial, please click here.