Margaret “Peggy” Butler

Beloved Margaret “Peggy” Mooney Butler, was called home to Eternal Glory with the Lord on Saturday August 24, 2024 surrounded by faith, family, and fortitude. She was 92 years strong. What a glorious moment it must have been for Peggy to receive her crown of grace in heaven, and to also reunite with her valiant husband Dr. William Francis Butler Jr. “Bill”. You’ve never seen a couple more in love.

Peggy led an extraordinary life with exciting beginnings during the Big Band Era in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She was born in 1932 in Atlantic City to Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Mooney. The Mooney’s were the founders of renowned “Ventnor’s Florist” (also known as “P.J. Mooney and Son”) which was the first florist business in Ventnor, N.J., opening in 1913. For 85 years, the Mooney’s designed the finest floral arrangements for your every occasion, and many marriages blossomed there from a first dance corsage. Peggy loved working in the family business with her wonderful siblings John, Mary Fran and Kay, and it firmly planted her lifelong affinity for fresh flowers, landscape, and event design.

In 1949, lovely and radiant Peggy won the title of Miss Ventnor, and was then awarded the key to Atlantic City. Excitement and grace followed Peggy. Upon graduating from Holy Spirit High School, Peggy furthered her education at The University of Delaware. The very first moment that Peggy entered the Blue Hen Freshman dance, she was spotted by handsome senior football star Bill Butler, and that evening Bill and Peggy made the papers dancing together to the music of the Del-Melodians. That first dance led to their beautiful marriage, 7 children, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and an unforgettable, exciting life together of service, world adventure, and eternal love. You’ve never seen a happier couple who pioneered for God.

Sweetheart Peggy married her hero Bill Butler in a double ring ceremony on August 29, 1953 at St. James Catholic Church in Ventnor, N.J. with Bill’s Salesianum Coach Rev. James V. “Buzzy” O’Neill O.S.F.S. as the celebrant. After dancing by candlelight on the Ocean Terrace of their Ritz-Carlton reception, they honeymooned in Lake placid, then resided in Philadelphia, Pa where Bill was already matriculated as a graduate student at the esteemed University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Bill and Peggy, also known as, Dr. and Mrs. William F. Butler Jr., moved their family to Wilmington, Delaware in 1958, where Bill became owner-director of the Centreville Veterinary Hospital. Peggy oversaw the administrative duties, and architectural designs of all of the Veterinary Hospitals they owned.

At the center of Peggy and Bill’s marriage was their devotion to the Lord. As a couple, and individually they were called to serve. Together in the 1960’s they co-founded the first Montessori Association in Delaware-today it has grown to 7 schools. Together they were members of the Board of Trustees of The Salesianum School for boys whereby Peggy trailblazed as the first woman board member. Together they led fund-raising drives for University of Pennsylvania, University of Delaware, Archmere Academy, Ursuline Academy, St. Edmonds Academy, the Catholic Diocese, and more.

Peggy was at Bill’s side when Bill served on the parish council of St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine, when he co-founded Brandywine College-now a campus of Widener University, when he was a trustee of Archmere Academy, when he headed the county and state Veterinary Associations, when he served as director of the Delaware Humane Association, State Veterinarian Medicine Board, University of Delaware Alumni Association, and when he was awarded “Veterinarian of The Year” by the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association.

Bill was at Peggy side when she trail-blazed in the early 1970’s as one of the first board members of Delaware Right to Life-the largest most active Pro-Life organization in Delaware- and actively served in its education department. Bill was at Peggy’s side when she served as Chairman of the welcoming committee at St. Joseph’s on The Brandywine, when she Co-chaired the Heart Ball, when she volunteered for the American Heart Association, The Grand Opera House, Child Inc, A Safe Place, the Ministry of Caring, The Flower Market, and the Emmanual Dining Room for the Homeless where she cooked a monthly meal.

When her dearest Bill went to be with the Lord in 1995, Peggy was determined to continue the civic work that they started, so Peggy trail-blazed again. Peggy partnered with Elayne Bennett founder of The Best Friends Foundation in Washington D.C, and brought the first Best Friends program to Delaware-a mission dedicated to promoting self-respect, achievement, and positive peer groups for adolescents. Peggy was honored at the Kennedy Center for this work.

“Her faith radiated throughout her life, she led by example”, said her son Bill.

“My Mother’s devotion to her faith, family, and service to others greatly impacted my life. I’m honored to be her daughter. She was my prayer partner and our last prayer together at her final moment was the Our Father prayer Matthew 6:9-13”, said her daughter Melissa.

Peggy was an accomplished woman of service, style, and gratitude. She was a gracious daughter, loving wife, outstanding Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, God-mother, mission partner, educator, mentor, advocate and best friend to many-especially to her Stitcher’s crew for over 65 years.

“She was energetic and fun!”, said her grandson Carlton.

“She loved to feel the ocean breeze and watch the sunsets from our family home in Nantucket.

The simple pleasures in life gave her the most joy!”, said her son Bill.

“When I think of Mom I think of music, flowers and candlelight family dinners, and any night of the week she could be spotted dancing with Dad in the kitchen”, said Melissa

Peggy was predeceased by her beloved husband of 45 years Dr. William F. Butler Jr. (Veteran), her son Dr. Stephen Patrick Butler, her grandson Zachary Cuzzocreo, her second husband of 6 years James T. Baird (Veteran), her brother John T. Mooney (Veteran), her sister Mary Fran Mooney Wills, her sister Katherine Mooney Collins, and her parents Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Mooney.

Left to cherish memories and continue her legacy, are her daughters Christina Butler Mitchell (Husband Randy Mitchell), Melissa Finneran Butler, Gigi Butler Haskell (Husband Nate Haskell), Michelle Cuzzocreo; her sons William F. Butler III (Wife Sara Zegarra Butler), Michael Damian Butler; her loving Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren, and lifelong friends who will miss her.

Margaret Ann Mooney Butler was a radiant beauty who will be remembered as a lady of grace who served God, her family and communities in her country. Well done good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord”-Matthew 25:21. One can only imagine how delightful it will be, the moment Bill gives Peggy that heavenly dance card, accompanied with her final corsage, for their eternal dance together by candlelight.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine Catholic Church; 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19807 on Saturday September 14, 2024 at 10 o’clock in the morning. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 9 o’clock in the morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name Mrs. William F. Butler Jr., can be made to the Ministry of Caring Inc. (302)-652-5523; 115 East 14th St., Wilmington, Delaware 19801.