Margaret Janet “Bonnie” Butler

Margaret Janet “Bonnie” Butler passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023, her 94th birthday.

Bonnie was born on October 24, 1929, in Montreal, Quebec.  The daughter of Scottish immigrants, her parents gave her the nickname Bonnie, the Scottish word meaning beautiful, cheerful, and good.  A nickname she lived up to her entire life.

At age 9 Bonnie and her parents moved via railroad from Montreal to North Vancouver British Columbia.  Bonnie attended North Van Senior High School, was a member of the Cheer Squad, and was named Lead Cheerleader her Senior year.  After graduation, she became a Switchboard Operator for BC Tel in North Vancouver.

Bonnie was wed on June 20th, 1952 to Charles “Chuck” Butler, whom she had known at North Van High, following his return to Canada after serving in the US Army in Korea.   Bonnie and Chuck relocated to Seattle following their Marriage where Chuck studied Engineering at the University of Washington on the GI Bill, while Bonnie held a clerical position at the Sunny Jim offices in what would later become the Rainer Brewery building.

In later years Bonnie would become a receptionist for Dr. Wayne Ono, DDS in Redmond, WA and for many years at Swanson Dental in Bellevue.

Bonnie and Chuck relocated to Pompton Plains New Jersey in 1962, returning to Bellevue, Washington in 1969 where they raised their three sons.  In 1985, following their youngest son’s graduation from college, Bonnie and Chuck moved to Hong Kong where they resided for three years before the sudden passing of Chuck.

A widow at 57 years old, Bonnie returned to Bellevue and led an active, involved life carried by her faith, strength, and enduring optimism for her remaining 37 years.

Bonnie led a life of family, work, caring, and service including volunteering at the local hospital to do Patterning for young children with muscular limitations.  When her children were younger, Bonnie was their Cub Scout Den Mother and continued involvement with them through Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts and was actively involved in their multiple sporting activities while also being a member of a Sweet Adelines women’s Barbershop chorus.

Bonnie had a deep and strong religious faith.  She was an active member of Bellevue Presbyterian Church, serving there as a Deacon for many years.  Bonnie’s most enduring legacy is the life she lived in her faith.  She demonstrated the Christian principles of life every day of her life and was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Bonnie is survived by her three sons, Ted Butler of Mercer Island, Clark (Mary) Butler of Sammamish, Brian Butler of Chelan; seven Grandchildren: Charlie Butler of Mercer Island, Woody Butler of Newport Beach, California, Brad Butler of Bozeman, Montana, Cameron Butler of Summerlin, Nevada, Bonnie (David) DeCastro of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Brigitte Butler of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tucker Butler of Redmond; and 4 Great Grandchildren: Brooke, Olivia, Henry and Daphne DeCastro of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A memorial service will be help on December 2, at 1:00pm at the Emerald Heights Retirement Community, 10901 176th Circle NE, Redmond, WA 98052.

Due to very limited parking please park at Redmond High School, 17272 N.E. 104th ST., Redmond, WA 98052.  Please look for the Emerald Heights sign board when parking, an Emerald Heights Shuttle will provide transportation to and from the Service.