Bella M. Butler, 83
Co-owned and operated former variety store in Fitchburg
ASHBURNHAM -- Bella M. (Cormier) Butler, 83, of 36 Page Ave., formerly of 199 Milk St., Fitchburg, died Tuesday evening, Aug. 22, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.
She was born Dec. 15, 1916, in Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada, the daughter of Tilman and Mary (Leger) Cormier, and had lived many years in Fitchburg before moving to Ashburnham in 1978.
Mrs. Butler owned and operated with her husband the former Butler's Variety Store on Milk Street in Fitchburg for 13 years before retiring in 1978.
She attended St. Joseph's Church in Fitchburg and St. Denis Church in Ashburnham.
She leaves a daughter, Joan L. LaBrecque of Ashburnham; a son, Paul L. Butler of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; a brother, Arthur Cormier of Clinton; six sisters, Margaret Cormier, Emma St. John and Emilia Fontaine, all of Fitchburg, Louise Richards of Gardner, and Bernice Gaudet and Leona Cormier, both of Leominster; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
Her husband, Louis F. Butler, died July 5, 1983.
She was also predeceased by three brothers, Albert Cormier, Camille Cormier and Clifford Cormier -- all of Fitchburg, and two sisters, Nellie Boudreau of Fitchburg and Minnie Allain of Gardner.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 49 Woodland St., Fitchburg.
Burial will be in St. Denis Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Central Mass. Division, 19 Midstate Drive, Auburn, MA 01501.
Louis M. Isabelle Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg, is handling arrangements.