Joan Rachel Butcher

Joan Rachel Liberman Butcher

November 14, 1962 – August 19, 2023

Joanie’s daughters, Tess (Hakop Nagapetyan) Butcher and Emma Butcher, her mother Terrie Liberman, and her brother Tom Liberman are grateful for the life they shared with her.   Cherished grandmother of toddler Nova Nagapetyan, who will know her through stories and pictures in the years ahead.

Joanie graduated from University City High School, Amherst College, and Brown University School of Medicine. She was a respected, compassionate psychiatrist who provided thoughtful treatment and guidance to her many patients.  While at Amherst, Joanie met Chrissy, Kathleen, Sharon and Wendy.   The “girls” shared many of life’s adventures and remained close friends for forty years.  Joanie met Bob Butcher at Brown Medical School.  Their marriage ended in divorce, but Bobby has remained a devoted father to Tess and Emma. Joanie cared deeply about social justice and was active in Moms Demand Action, a group dedicated to reducing gun violence.

Joanie was a lifelong animal lover.  As a child, she dearly loved her cat Mary, and in recent years, she found comfort and companionship with cats Kiki and Priv.  Through the years, she also enjoyed living with dogs, rabbits, fish and birds.  Joanie was a devoted, enthusiastic fan of the Cardinals.  She and her brother watched games from the bleachers with their mom when they were young, and later enjoyed a closer view from Mom’s season tickets.

Joanie’s family thanks the nursing staff at McKnight Place Extended Care and the Hospice Team, particularly Agnes, for their kindness.  The family also appreciates all the residents of the Greystone Building who befriended and cared about Joanie and Emma.  And of course, there is Susie.  She has supported us, cared for us, watched over Joanie, and patiently devoted herself to Emma.  We are forever grateful to Susie.

Private family service.  Contributions in Joanie’s memory may be made to Moms Demand Action or to the Clowder House Foundation.