RUTH BUTTERLY Obituary

BUTTERLY--Ruth Kessel, died peacefully and on her own terms on September 21, 2012. Survived by her children Susan Pope, John (Lynn) Butterly, and Kathleen (Frank) Nigro; and her grandchildren Arielle, Daniel, and Joel Butterly; Michael Pope; and Benjamin and Philip Nigro. Mom loved books and taught us to love them also. Donations in her memory may be made to the New York Public Library.

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Published by New York Times on Sep. 25, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for RUTH BUTTERLY

13 Entries

Rita Capek

September 19, 2020

I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful memories of the times I spent with Ruth. They are like the gift that keeps on giving!

Carole OKeefe

September 19, 2020

Ruth's memory is dear to me. A good and constant friend for almost 40 years, she is still with me and thought of every day.

Benjamin Nigro

October 20, 2012

Some of the earliest memories that I have are when Adah would visit us in St. Louis and read to my brother and I. It was Frog and Toad everytime, but I looked forward to it each time. Although I didn't get to see her as much as I'd liked, I know how much she cared. Continually missed, always loved, but never forgotten.

October 11, 2012

RB-dear friend will always be in my heart and and thoughts Blanche Cirker

October 9, 2012

Ruth Butterly was a kind and caring friend in the many years we were friends. I am sure that the world was made happier by her being here.

Peacefully,

Doreen Chan

Carole Edlin

October 5, 2012

Ruth had been a much-admired acquaintance of many decades, and I looked forward to seeing her in the volunteer office where I worked. Her contributions to the library were huge, and her style & warmth will remain influences in my life. With many fond memories, Carole Edlin

Maura Muller

October 4, 2012

I met Ruth when I became the Volunteer Manager at The New York Public Library. She was warm and welcoming and we enjoyed many conversations about books and flowers. I have a begonia on my desk that always reminds me of Ruth.

Ruth was such an important part of the Library for so many years. She became a volunteer in 1987 and donated thousands of hours to NYPL. I'm sure that parts of our current Lunch Hour NYC exhibition would not have come to fruition except for Ruth's dedication to the NYPL menu collection. She was also very involved in advocating for the Library through the Legislative Relations Committee and served thousands of visitors and New Yorkers alike at the Information Desks of the main Library. She is missed.

Philip Nigro

September 30, 2012

It is hard for me to find just one great memory of Adah. Everytime my family visited her in New York, it was always a great vacation filled with many good memories. It had been a long time since I had seen Adah and the hardest part of her passing to me is that she never got to see the young man I have become. However, I always knew I had her love and support and I am glad she is at peace now. I will always love and miss my Adah.

Wendy Axel

September 27, 2012

Ruth and I did not know each other well, but spent our most significant time together in those most revealing of circumstances: a long car trip in a small car. During our two trips our relationship quickly became one of both mutual respect and of worthy adversary. Once safely home again we found ourselves more fond of each other than either of us would have remotely guessed.
I wish her peace.
I wish her children and grandchildren comfort.

September 26, 2012

Ruth was my Mother-In-Law. When I married her daughter, Kathleen, I don't think Ruth was very fond of me. After all, I was an Italian from Brooklyn, no less. On our first anniversary, Ruth's message was a stern "Give it time!" But after almost 30 anniversaries, the "Give it time" line was delivered in a gentler tone punctuated with a smile.
Ruth was very prim and proper. She was a stickler for etiquette and manners. But beneath that tough New Yorker facade, there beat a soft and loving heart. We knew she would always be there if we needed help, and many times she was, never asking for anything in return.
When our sons, Benjamin and Philip, were babies, they couldn't say the word "Grandma," so they called her "Adah." We all love you "Adah," and we will miss you. I will miss you.

Frank

Antoinette Palladino

September 25, 2012

September 25, 2012

My family met Ruth over twenty-five years ago when my cousin married Kathie and her sons who grew up with my son. Ruth was always was kind, thoughtful and insightful with everyone. Her extraordinarily and brilliant mind led to the most dynamic conversations she would engage you with and her family, children,
grandchildren, and friends, of whom she love dearly will always be
in their hearts.

With deepest sympathy,

Antoinette and son, Nicholas

Rita Capek

September 25, 2012

I met Ruth 24 years ago when we both volunteered in the New York Public Library Gift Shop. From there we started going to the movies every Friday for the next 18 years to our great enjoyment. I have never stopped missing that treat. Rest in peace, Ruth!

Carole O'Keefe

September 25, 2012

Ruth was a dear friend for almost 40 years. Ruth's curiosity about the world and her interest in the life of the mind attracted people and formed the basis of lively relationships and good conversation. Ruth was a great combination of smart and stubborn! Like all of us, Ruth was the boy at the window in Richard Wilbur's poem--"such warmth, such light, such love, and so much fear." I miss her and want John and Kathie and Susan and their families to know that they and Ruth are in my thoughts and prayers.

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