Sister Anita Butler (Sister Francesca), age 87, a Sister of Providence for 69 years, died July 26, 2024 at home, Seattle.
Sister Anita was born on July 29, 1936, in Los Angeles, but raised in Burbank. She was the oldest child of Leslie and Ruth Butler. She had two brothers, Gerald and Michael. Family was important to Sister Anita – her stable family values shaping her life.
When Sister Anita was a young child, her father, a ground transportation worker transferred to the new Los Angeles International Airport and moved his young family to St. Finbar School in Burbank, California. This is where Sister Anita, a fourth-grader, met and was taught by the Sisters of Providence. While as a high school student, Sister Anita remained close to the Community, visiting the Sisters after school and on weekends. In 1954, she graduated and entered the Sisters of Providence as a Postulant. She became a Novice in 1955, received First Vows in 1956 and Final Vows in 1961.
Her educational achievements include: a BS in Education, College of Great Falls (now University of Providence) in 1965, and a MEd (Masters in Education) in Education and High School Administration in 1971 from Loyola University, Los Angeles. Plus, she undertook on-going educational training and seminars in long-term care and health care administration.
Sister Anita lived life to the fullest, her philosophy being, “My whole life has been an adventure.” Her first mission as a Sister of Providence was as an elementary teacher at St. Joseph Grade School in Vancouver, Washington (1956-58). Other missions as an elementary teacher took her to Sacred Heart School, Tacoma, Washington (1957); Our Lady of Lourdes School, Vancouver, Washington (1958-61); St. Finbar School, Burbank (1961-63); Holy Rosary School, Moxee, Washington (1963-64); and Providence High School, Burbank, as a teacher and assistant principal (1964-72).
She was principal at St. Catherine School, Seattle (1972-74) and then served as academic vice principal at Kennedy High School, Burien, Washington (1974-79). After serving in teaching and administration in grade schools and high schools, Sister Anita became the religious community’s Provincial Treasurer (1980-89; 2005-10) . She ministered as the regional director, long-term care, Providence Portland Medical Center (1993-98) and as the superior/administrator at St. Joseph Residence (2000-2005).
Because of her love of the Sisters of Providence mission, she was selected to be on the first team of Providence sponsors of Providence Health & Services (2010-17). She also served on several healthcare and financial boards.
Sister Anita will be remembered fondly for her compassion, loving presence, quick wit, wonderful sense of humor, intelligence, and an unwavering advocate for her Providence community. She was thankful for her community and knew being a Sister of Providence was a way of life.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Gerald. She is survived by her brother Michael, many loving nieces and nephews, and her religious community.