Obituary
https://www.lawlerfuneralhome.com/obituary/Janet-Butler
Memorial letter from Senior Minister of Old South Church:
Dear Old South Church:
Our Janet has passed on into glory. She was a 57-year member of this church and, over many decades, an invaluable leader with a large heart and a cornucopia of kindness.
Janet and Harvey Butler became members of Old South Church in 1965. Janet was thirty-one years old. They brought up their children through our Church School.
In the 1978 Annual Report Janet is listed as staff: the church's part-time Parish Worker. In the 1979 Annual Report she is listed as full-time in that same capacity. She is also named as a teacher in the Old South Preschool.
As the Parish Worker, Janet assisted both members of the church and unhoused neighbors. She drove people to appointments, made and delivered meals, helped people find housing, studied to become an executrix, made guest appearances in Jim Crawford's classes at Andover Newton Theological School on urban ministry, oversaw feeding programs for the destitute, served as the Old South Church "bouncer" on occasion, and more. She liaised with the Protestant Guild for the Blind. In one annual report she declares, "I love my job!"
By 1982 it is reported that Janet also staffs the Advisory Board of the Old South Seniors, a regular gathering with outings for the older set. She also served on the board of Boston Aging Concerns.
Janet was among the incorporators of Social Action Ministries of Greater Boston, and then served on the steering committee of this combined undertaking of Old South Church and Trinity Church. Among other tasks she "led inspired services for unhoused and marginalized" neighbors.
For several decades Janet was Old South Church's face to couples who came here to get married, serving as our Wedding Coordinator and striking up a long and dear relationship with Cal Genzel, our long-time "marrying minister" (Cal officiated at weddings of non-members).
Janet volunteered as a Sunday receptionist at the Front Desk. She served various stints as an Old South Church Deacon, and on the Leadership Committee.
She was proud to have served across the ministries of three senior ministers and two interim (IN) senior ministers: F. M. Meek, G. S. Parker (IN), J. W. Crawford, C. Schultz (IN) and N. S. Taylor.
Janet's beloved Harvey died in 1995. He is listed in the 1977 Annual Report as the church liaison with the Old South Church Scouting program (both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts). The program consisted of weekly meetings and monthly overnight camping trips.
"Behind the scenes, Janet was a people booster," writes Pam Roberts. "She loved to follow families, loved watching children grow up, and never forgot details. Even in this last year, when she wasn't well, she always asked me how Miranda was doing in school." "Janet really was in so many ways the heart and soul of Old South," wrote Doreen Siddall.
Janet is survived by her children, Neal, Gregg (Kristen), Eric (Mary), Amy (Jim), and Pam (Conrad) and her eleven cherished grandchildren.
Half of Janet's remains will be buried at Forest Hills Cemetery next to Harvey in a private service, the other half will be placed in her niche in the Old South Columbarium. Due to the pandemic, a memorial service will be scheduled at Old South Church at a later date.
May the angels in heaven welcome you, Janet.
May you find safe harbor, profound rest and peace.
May you shine in heaven as you shone on earth.
Well done, Janet, you good and faithful servant. Amen.
Nancy S Taylor
Senior Minister & CEO
https://www.lawlerfuneralhome.com/obituary/Janet-Butler
Memorial letter from Senior Minister of Old South Church:
Dear Old South Church:
Our Janet has passed on into glory. She was a 57-year member of this church and, over many decades, an invaluable leader with a large heart and a cornucopia of kindness.
Janet and Harvey Butler became members of Old South Church in 1965. Janet was thirty-one years old. They brought up their children through our Church School.
In the 1978 Annual Report Janet is listed as staff: the church's part-time Parish Worker. In the 1979 Annual Report she is listed as full-time in that same capacity. She is also named as a teacher in the Old South Preschool.
As the Parish Worker, Janet assisted both members of the church and unhoused neighbors. She drove people to appointments, made and delivered meals, helped people find housing, studied to become an executrix, made guest appearances in Jim Crawford's classes at Andover Newton Theological School on urban ministry, oversaw feeding programs for the destitute, served as the Old South Church "bouncer" on occasion, and more. She liaised with the Protestant Guild for the Blind. In one annual report she declares, "I love my job!"
By 1982 it is reported that Janet also staffs the Advisory Board of the Old South Seniors, a regular gathering with outings for the older set. She also served on the board of Boston Aging Concerns.
Janet was among the incorporators of Social Action Ministries of Greater Boston, and then served on the steering committee of this combined undertaking of Old South Church and Trinity Church. Among other tasks she "led inspired services for unhoused and marginalized" neighbors.
For several decades Janet was Old South Church's face to couples who came here to get married, serving as our Wedding Coordinator and striking up a long and dear relationship with Cal Genzel, our long-time "marrying minister" (Cal officiated at weddings of non-members).
Janet volunteered as a Sunday receptionist at the Front Desk. She served various stints as an Old South Church Deacon, and on the Leadership Committee.
She was proud to have served across the ministries of three senior ministers and two interim (IN) senior ministers: F. M. Meek, G. S. Parker (IN), J. W. Crawford, C. Schultz (IN) and N. S. Taylor.
Janet's beloved Harvey died in 1995. He is listed in the 1977 Annual Report as the church liaison with the Old South Church Scouting program (both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts). The program consisted of weekly meetings and monthly overnight camping trips.
"Behind the scenes, Janet was a people booster," writes Pam Roberts. "She loved to follow families, loved watching children grow up, and never forgot details. Even in this last year, when she wasn't well, she always asked me how Miranda was doing in school." "Janet really was in so many ways the heart and soul of Old South," wrote Doreen Siddall.
Janet is survived by her children, Neal, Gregg (Kristen), Eric (Mary), Amy (Jim), and Pam (Conrad) and her eleven cherished grandchildren.
Half of Janet's remains will be buried at Forest Hills Cemetery next to Harvey in a private service, the other half will be placed in her niche in the Old South Columbarium. Due to the pandemic, a memorial service will be scheduled at Old South Church at a later date.
May the angels in heaven welcome you, Janet.
May you find safe harbor, profound rest and peace.
May you shine in heaven as you shone on earth.
Well done, Janet, you good and faithful servant. Amen.
Nancy S Taylor
Senior Minister & CEO
Obituary
https://www.lawlerfuneralhome.com/obituary/Janet-Butler
Memorial letter from Senior Minister of Old South Church:
Dear Old South Church:
Our Janet has passed on into glory. She was a 57-year member of this church and, over many decades, an invaluable leader with a large heart and a cornucopia of kindness.
Janet and Harvey Butler became members of Old South Church in 1965. Janet was thirty-one years old. They brought up their children through our Church School.
In the 1978 Annual Report Janet is listed as staff: the church's part-time Parish Worker. In the 1979 Annual Report she is listed as full-time in that same capacity. She is also named as a teacher in the Old South Preschool.
As the Parish Worker, Janet assisted both members of the church and unhoused neighbors. She drove people to appointments, made and delivered meals, helped people find housing, studied to become an executrix, made guest appearances in Jim Crawford's classes at Andover Newton Theological School on urban ministry, oversaw feeding programs for the destitute, served as the Old South Church "bouncer" on occasion, and more. She liaised with the Protestant Guild for the Blind. In one annual report she declares, "I love my job!"
By 1982 it is reported that Janet also staffs the Advisory Board of the Old South Seniors, a regular gathering with outings for the older set. She also served on the board of Boston Aging Concerns.
Janet was among the incorporators of Social Action Ministries of Greater Boston, and then served on the steering committee of this combined undertaking of Old South Church and Trinity Church. Among other tasks she "led inspired services for unhoused and marginalized" neighbors.
For several decades Janet was Old South Church's face to couples who came here to get married, serving as our Wedding Coordinator and striking up a long and dear relationship with Cal Genzel, our long-time "marrying minister" (Cal officiated at weddings of non-members).
Janet volunteered as a Sunday receptionist at the Front Desk. She served various stints as an Old South Church Deacon, and on the Leadership Committee.
She was proud to have served across the ministries of three senior ministers and two interim (IN) senior ministers: F. M. Meek, G. S. Parker (IN), J. W. Crawford, C. Schultz (IN) and N. S. Taylor.
Janet's beloved Harvey died in 1995. He is listed in the 1977 Annual Report as the church liaison with the Old South Church Scouting program (both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts). The program consisted of weekly meetings and monthly overnight camping trips.
"Behind the scenes, Janet was a people booster," writes Pam Roberts. "She loved to follow families, loved watching children grow up, and never forgot details. Even in this last year, when she wasn't well, she always asked me how Miranda was doing in school." "Janet really was in so many ways the heart and soul of Old South," wrote Doreen Siddall.
Janet is survived by her children, Neal, Gregg (Kristen), Eric (Mary), Amy (Jim), and Pam (Conrad) and her eleven cherished grandchildren.
Half of Janet's remains will be buried at Forest Hills Cemetery next to Harvey in a private service, the other half will be placed in her niche in the Old South Columbarium. Due to the pandemic, a memorial service will be scheduled at Old South Church at a later date.
May the angels in heaven welcome you, Janet.
May you find safe harbor, profound rest and peace.
May you shine in heaven as you shone on earth.
Well done, Janet, you good and faithful servant. Amen.
Nancy S Taylor
Senior Minister & CEO
https://www.lawlerfuneralhome.com/obituary/Janet-Butler
Memorial letter from Senior Minister of Old South Church:
Dear Old South Church:
Our Janet has passed on into glory. She was a 57-year member of this church and, over many decades, an invaluable leader with a large heart and a cornucopia of kindness.
Janet and Harvey Butler became members of Old South Church in 1965. Janet was thirty-one years old. They brought up their children through our Church School.
In the 1978 Annual Report Janet is listed as staff: the church's part-time Parish Worker. In the 1979 Annual Report she is listed as full-time in that same capacity. She is also named as a teacher in the Old South Preschool.
As the Parish Worker, Janet assisted both members of the church and unhoused neighbors. She drove people to appointments, made and delivered meals, helped people find housing, studied to become an executrix, made guest appearances in Jim Crawford's classes at Andover Newton Theological School on urban ministry, oversaw feeding programs for the destitute, served as the Old South Church "bouncer" on occasion, and more. She liaised with the Protestant Guild for the Blind. In one annual report she declares, "I love my job!"
By 1982 it is reported that Janet also staffs the Advisory Board of the Old South Seniors, a regular gathering with outings for the older set. She also served on the board of Boston Aging Concerns.
Janet was among the incorporators of Social Action Ministries of Greater Boston, and then served on the steering committee of this combined undertaking of Old South Church and Trinity Church. Among other tasks she "led inspired services for unhoused and marginalized" neighbors.
For several decades Janet was Old South Church's face to couples who came here to get married, serving as our Wedding Coordinator and striking up a long and dear relationship with Cal Genzel, our long-time "marrying minister" (Cal officiated at weddings of non-members).
Janet volunteered as a Sunday receptionist at the Front Desk. She served various stints as an Old South Church Deacon, and on the Leadership Committee.
She was proud to have served across the ministries of three senior ministers and two interim (IN) senior ministers: F. M. Meek, G. S. Parker (IN), J. W. Crawford, C. Schultz (IN) and N. S. Taylor.
Janet's beloved Harvey died in 1995. He is listed in the 1977 Annual Report as the church liaison with the Old South Church Scouting program (both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts). The program consisted of weekly meetings and monthly overnight camping trips.
"Behind the scenes, Janet was a people booster," writes Pam Roberts. "She loved to follow families, loved watching children grow up, and never forgot details. Even in this last year, when she wasn't well, she always asked me how Miranda was doing in school." "Janet really was in so many ways the heart and soul of Old South," wrote Doreen Siddall.
Janet is survived by her children, Neal, Gregg (Kristen), Eric (Mary), Amy (Jim), and Pam (Conrad) and her eleven cherished grandchildren.
Half of Janet's remains will be buried at Forest Hills Cemetery next to Harvey in a private service, the other half will be placed in her niche in the Old South Columbarium. Due to the pandemic, a memorial service will be scheduled at Old South Church at a later date.
May the angels in heaven welcome you, Janet.
May you find safe harbor, profound rest and peace.
May you shine in heaven as you shone on earth.
Well done, Janet, you good and faithful servant. Amen.
Nancy S Taylor
Senior Minister & CEO
Gravesite Details
Partial Cremated remains. Pew 99 refers to the pew number that Janet and several friends have occupied for many years. The remainder of the ashes are in The Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain next to her beloved Husband, Harvey.
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