Joanne Butterworth

NORTHAMPTON - Joanne Eager Butterworth, 88, passed away peacefully on October 29th after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was a smiling, sweet soul throughout her life and her caregivers were among the many who loved her.

Joanne was born in Marlborough, MA to Grace (Wright) and Henry Eager on April 22, 1929. She captained the cheerleading team while at Marlborough High School and graduated from Katherine Gibbs School in Boston two years later. While living and working in Back Bay, she met and married John L. Butterworth of Somerset in 1955. They moved to Framingham, MA where they lived until 1992, then to Acton, MA until 2012.

Joanne was a full time mom for many of those years and later worked as a secretary for Plymouth Church of Framingham and the Dutch candy company, Van Melle (maker of Mentos) in Sudbury. She was devoted to her family, neighbors, church and community and volunteered countless hours for their benefit. Ever the lady and ultimate hostess, her family home and lake house in Ossipee, NH were always a welcoming and favored gathering place for family, her many friends, neighbors, daughters' friends and grandson's friends. All generations gravitated to her thoughtful and generous, happy spirit.

A lover of sports, card games, reading, crafts, nature and animals, Joanne found joyin many ways. (Full disclosure, cooking dinner not among them!) She and her husband loved to travel and did so extensively throughout their lives. Joanne also made numerous trips with a close group of women walking from village to village throughout Great Britain. She loved to explore but was always happy returning to her beloved New England with its changing seasons and colonial landscapes.

Joanne often expressed her appreciation for a full, happy and healthy life and her many blessings. With hard work, hard play and a huge heart, she lived the true American dream of her era.

Joanne's husband predeceased her in 2012. She leaves behind her daughter Sue Butterworth Larson and husband Carl of Northampton, MA, daughter Ann Butterworth and husband Warren Ross of Boston, MA and grandson Jack Larson of Boston, MA.

A celebration of her life is planned for next spring.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please fulfill a random act of kindness in Joanne's memory.
A favorite quote of Joanne's is by Robert Frost. ""In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life…it goes on."

To sign a Guest Book, express condolences, share memories and read other obituaries, go to legacy.com/obituaries/gazettenet.