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Mabel Butler Obituary
The 71-year-old also was like a family member to her charges, say the Milpitas parents who saw her every school day.
Wednesday, students and parents mourned the death of the crossing guard, two weeks after a teenage driver struck her on Arizona Avenue near the high school as she prepared to cross students going home.
"She probably knew as much about these kids as their teachers and parents," said Karleen Gill, whose 8-year-old son, James, attends Pomeroy. "She knew which siblings go together and who normally picks them up. If she doesn't see someone for a few days, she'll check on them."
Milpitas police say Butler, a petite woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, was not at fault in the Jan. 30 accident when she stepped into the crosswalk and held up her stop sign to prepare students for a walk across the street.
Butler was struck by the 16-year-old driver of a minivan as she stood about 14 feet off the curb while telling students to stay on the sidewalk until it was safe.
Butler's fractured leg and back injuries did not appear life-threatening, but she remained at San Jose Regional Medical Center and last Saturday suffered a heart attack. Her condition quickly deteriorated, authorities said.
Butler's neighbor Ruthie Broadwell said Butler had worked at a Denny's before she became a crossing guard about seven years ago. She looked forward to being around children.
"She was out there with her little stop sign to protect the kiddies," Broadwell said. "She was so kind. She always looked out for kids."
Gill said Butler, whom parents and kids called "Miss Mabel," offered parents a sense of security.
"You get a different teacher every year, but Miss Mabel was a constant," Gill said. "She was petite and white-haired, but she was tough as teak. You wouldn't mistake her for a granny who stayed home baking cookies."
An impromptu memorial with flowers had begun to grow at the site of the accident Wednesday night.
Gill added: "Those kids were her world. I think of her being like a mighty oak tree who always stood her ground out there. She was always there to protect our kids."
Memories and Condolences
for Mabel Butler
24 Entries
Karen Solari
November 4, 2007
Grandma...its been 9 months since you went to heaven...and I just want you to know that I love you so much...and miss you even more everyday...I know that you are up there watchin out for us...and i appricate it everyday. take care of everyone that has passed since you did and that passed before you. I love you
joseph brown
March 29, 2007
To the family of Mabel Butler
I didn't know her but i am good friends with one of grand daughters. I can tell that she was a great women just by the way Karen is so nice and respectfull. That tell me that she was the same way. I am so sorry that she was takin so soon. God must have had another plan for her. I know that dose make it better but if u keep her in your hearts then she will be with you forever. Karen if you need me for anything. You have my number just call me i will be their for you.
Susan Byrne
March 3, 2007
The gifts and love Mabel shared with everyone ripple through our community. I never met her, but waved back to her friendly greeting on occasions when we drove past during her duty shifts. I know people who were her friends and their lives clearly were blessed by that friendship; their memories of her speak volumes of her character and her contributions to make her corner of the world better and brighter. What I hear from those who knew and loved her and who now honor her memory evokes a Native American prayer I received from my nephew years ago:
"I give you this one thought to keep: I am with you still, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone; I am with you still, at each new dawn."
Bessie Saenz
March 1, 2007
Mabel will live in my heart forever. She came to work for me as a Crossing Guard over 7 years ago, but I've known her for over 20 years.We became very good friends from the first time we spoke. She was ornery as all get out, but yet she was cuddly as a soft teddy bear. She spoke her mind and gave advise when asked. She read the kids body language, so she would know how to approach them. She loved all her kids at her site, and was very protective of them. She always told me she had the best kids. When I spoke to her a week before her death, she asked how her kids were, and to tell them she didn't know when she would be able to return to her corner. This is the dedication and determination Mabel had for her kids, her kids always came first. This is the type of person Mabel was, she loved her job. She would call me during summer break and she was anxious to get back to work so see could see her kids again. To ALL HER KIDS, I want to thank you for all the outpouring love and affection that you shared with Mabel, you do make a difference in someones life. Your love for Mabel is a testimony of how she believed in each and everyone of you, and how proud she was of all of you. One of you wrote on her poster board, "It's not how she died, but how she lived". Thank you for that saying, and I do believe she will be watching over all of us until we go thru those pearly gates to make sure we get there safe. My love and prayers go out to her family. Mabel was a member of my family of Adult Crossing Guards, she will truly be missed by all of us, but her spirit will live on forever in us. Mabel you were a good kid yourself.
lisa stefanko
February 26, 2007
miss mabel I like you from the first time I saw you and it will continue on.
Donna S
February 21, 2007
Family and friends of 'miss mabel'
I didnt no 'miss mabel'but how deeply saddened I was as I read about her death,I guess in a sense we are family,I to am a school crossing guard for the city of Newark.Just no that you all are her life,and you made her days as brite as she made yours and with that no that this is not going to stop her from doing what she loved to do she will be on her corner making sure each and everyone of those children get safely across the street to there school.Nothing is going to stop that ,just no how well protected the children are going to be they have 2 crossing guards now instead of one.How lucky they are.'Miss mabel' may you rest in peace . A fellow crossing guard
Peggie Gallardo
February 20, 2007
I am truly saddened by the passing of Mabel. She was a dedicated public servant as my father was and she will be sorely missed by all the children. I remember Mable coming to my fahter funeral as all the guards did. I remember all the wonderful words she said about my father Gabriel Gallardo who was one of her co workers. I loved the stories she told me about him. Thanks you Mable. You helped me when I needed it. My condolences to Mabel's family and friends.
kim miner
February 18, 2007
My Prayers and All MY LOVE and my Deepest sympathy .For Mabel's Children .TO:Jesse, Chris, and Russell . I loved Mabel so Much I miss her so much I am sorry .I know Mabel meant everything to her children No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve. All MY LOVE KIM MINER
Timo Arnaldo
February 16, 2007
I'm going to miss seeing Mabel. I used to go to her and have some conversations with her while she did her job. I'll personally know that I'll miss her as did everyone else who knew her.
Cindy
February 16, 2007
dear miss mabel,
i miss saying "good morning" and "have a nice evening (or weekend)" to you everyday before and afterschool. thank you for being so kind to me even when we were complete strangers to each other. i wish i would had spent sometime to get to know you better and had an conversation once in a while. i wish everyone had a heart like yours. you were always smiling everytime i see you. i'm going to miss seeing you everday.
- from one of the students you saw everyday
Audrey M
February 16, 2007
I Will miss having you at work with us. I will miss you greatly.
Dr. Karl Black
February 16, 2007
Mabel: Thank you for protecting the children of the Milpitas Unified School District for so many years. My heart goes out to your entire family.
Bernadette Taplin
February 16, 2007
Thank you Mabel for being that ray of sunshine everyday. You will be sadly missed by countless children, teachers, and their families.
April Garcia
February 15, 2007
I always saw Miss Mabel everytime I drop off my kids in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon from Pomeroy. For 7 years I would always see her with a smile on her face and wave to me and the kids everytime we make that turn leaving the school...I will truly miss her but she will never be forgotten...the memories in my mind everytime I make that turn I will always remember her smiling and happily waving to us.
Karleen Gill
February 15, 2007
Miss Mabel, you were our children's guardian angel. I know you loved them all, and they all loved you right back. God bless you for all you did for us. My deepest sympathy to your grieving family.
Rachel Green
February 15, 2007
Ms. Mabel,
I'm sorry that I never took the time to get out of my car and Thank you for Friendly Smile & Wave Every Morning. You were the type of person that could brighten a person's day! May you rest in peace and I know you will continue to watch over all the children from up above.
Annette Alvarez
February 15, 2007
We as parents, need to instill all that "Miss Mabel" was into our children so the future can have more Miss Mabels' in this world.
Bob Livengood
February 15, 2007
I am truly saddened by Mabel's passing. She was a dedicated public servant who will be sorely missed.
My condolences to Mabel's family and friends.
Kathy Hawley-Costa
February 15, 2007
Miss Mabel,
Your friendly wave and smile in the mornings will be sorely missed. Thank you for watching over our children.
Rina Umali
February 15, 2007
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Mukul Banbihari
February 15, 2007
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Patricia Valenzuela
February 15, 2007
I didn't know Ms. Butler, but I want to send my deepest sympathies and condolences to her friends, family and all of the children she's helped keep safe over the years. May God Bless You and comfort you in your time of need.
Jo Lynne Kelsey
February 15, 2007
Thank you for caring so much for our kids!!!!!
Greg Hall
February 15, 2007
Dear Family and Friends of Mabel Butler,
I think that it very sad that someone, who was as nice and devoted as Mabel was, would be struck and killed at a time when she was doing what she knew best. That is being there and helping those children so that they could cross the street.
I didn't know Mabel, but she sounded like a really extraordinary person. It made me very sad to read about what happened to her.
May she rest in peace.
Greg Hall
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