Maxine Mary Butler
Maxine Mary Butler (née Schlegel), 74, formerly of Batavia, a resident of East Side Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Warsaw, N.Y., entered her Heavenly rest on May 2, 2019, after being visited by her loving family and friends as she was peacefully passing on. Maxine was born in Medina on Sept. 28, 1944 to the late Alton and Marian Schlegel. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, in 1997.
Maxine attended Sacred Heart School in Medina (grades 1-8) and graduated from Medina High School in 1961. She then worked as a nurse’s aide at Medina Memorial Hospital for two years. Maxine then graduated from the Catherine McCauley School of Practical Nursing in Batavia, earning her certification in 1964. She worked at St. Jerome’s Hospital in Batavia for ten years as a practical nurse. Maxine graduated from Genesee Community College in 1977, making the President’s List with an Associate of Arts degree in the humanities. In 1979, she graduated summa cum laude from Brockport State College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work. Then, Maxine worked as a probation officer in the Genesee County Probation Department for 10 years, before retiring due to disability.
After her husband’s death, Maxine lived alone for many years on College View Drive in Batavia before becoming a resident of East Side Nursing Home for about seven years until her passing. Maxine was a longtime member of Sacred Heart (Ascension Parish) in Batavia, where she was very active. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and a Lector, taught CCD classes, was a Pre-Cana leader, and was Chairperson of the church picnic booth that both she and her husband worked yearly. Maxine was also a member of St. Anthony’s Parish for many years and, along with her husband, was a member of the Notre Dame Prayer Group.
Maxine enjoyed many things in life. She was an avid Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees fan. She loved reading novels and watching several favorite TV programs, such as “Jeopardy.” Maxine loved music, her favorite artist being Elvis, and enjoyed playing piano. Maxine loved the trips she took with her husband, especially to Salamanca and Lake George, N.Y. At East Side Nursing Home, she enjoyed bingo, crafts, music events, puzzles, games and other activities, along with attending the resident’s council.
Maxine will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, cousin and friend. She had a heart of gold and was generous to a fault. Her religion was the cornerstone of her life. Although she suffered many ailments, Maxine continued to want to live for her loved ones. She fought a courageous health battle for many years. Her loved ones wish to extend a very special thank you to her East Side family for the loving care they provided.
She is survived by her sister, Darlene (Robert) Gerke of Oakfield; nephew and godson, Rob Gerke Jr. of New Jersey; godchildren, Matthew and Virginia Lane of Batavia; many maternal and paternal cousins; several nieces, nephews and family members on her husband’s side; her best friend, Teresa Figlow of Batavia; special friends, Melissa and Aaron Aprile of Buffalo; and her East Side family of nurses, staff and residents.
Maxine’s family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tue., May 7 at Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC, 4120 W. Main St. Road, Batavia NY 14020, where prayers will be recited 10:45 a.m. on Wed., May 8, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. at Ascension Parish (Sacred Heart). She will be laid to rest alongside her husband in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Medina.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in her memory be made to the Activities Department at East Side Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 62 Prospect St., Warsaw NY 14569.
We were all so fortunate to have this sweet angel in our lives. We know she will be with God now, and all her loved ones who went before her. She will no longer suffer, but be in pain-free blessed peace, which she so richly deserves.
The family of Maxine Mary Butler is being cared for by Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 4120 W. Main St. Road, Batavia NY 14020. Please share your words of comfort with Maxine’s family at www.tomaszewskifh.com, or for more information, please call Michael at (585) 343-7500.
