Martha Lorraine Butler, 96, of the Hamlet of Wallkill passed away at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, of complications from COVID-19, on Friday, December 18, 2020.
The daughter of Belle (Nichols) Warnken and Robert Warnken, Sr., she was born in Manhattan, New York, on August 24, 1924. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Warnken, Jr., and Rodney Warnken. She was also predeceased by her daughter-in-law, AnneMarie (Antonucci) Butler.
She is survived by her children, Bruce Warren Butler, Jr. (Evelyn,) Roberta “Bobbi” Boyea (Gary,) both of the Town of Newburgh, NY, and Brian Evan Butler (Kimberly) of New Windsor, and grandchildren Bruce W. Butler III, of the Town of Newburgh, Christopher Evan Butler, Sr. (Alexis) of Vails Gate, NY, and Nicholas Ray Boyea, of Raleigh, NC, and several nieces and nephews. In 2018, she became a great-grandmother, with the birth of Christopher E. Butler, Jr.
In 1965, she fell in love with, and purchased, an old farmhouse in Wallkill, where she lived until her passing. Her strong work ethic had her working simultaneous jobs, for a number of years. She worked at Fair-Rite Products in Wallkill, the Thruway Market Bakery in Walden, M. Raymond Rosenblum’s Paint Store, and Paint and Wallpaper Wholesale at Lloyd’s Shopping Center.
In the late ‘60’s, her name became a household word in the Wallkill School District, when she was hired as the Office Manager at Leptondale Elementary School, a position that she held with love and enthusiasm… for both “her children” and her co-workers, for nearly 30 years. She will be undoubtedly be remembered by many of the students and faculty.
Martha loved to travel, and was able to visit many destinations after retirement. As her hearing and sight declined in later years, she never lost her independence… being near her children, but choosing to live by herself in the house she fell in love with… in 1965.
The family expresses its gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Caremount Medical in Fishkill, for their years of patience and compassion.
Martha was a 50+ year survivor of breast cancer, having been diagnosed and treated at a time when technology was in its infancy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to: “Susan G. Komen for the Cure” 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas TX 75380
Services will be private. A celebration of Martha’s life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of White, Venuto and Morrill Funeral and Cremation Services, 188 N. Plank Road, Newburgh, NY 12550.