The death has taken place of a true-blue Kilkenny woman, Mrs Angela Butler (65) of Cooleshal, Freshford. She was a deeply religious person, and along with her devotion to her Maker, she was absolute in her love of hurling in Kilkenny. Angela was born in the shadow of the local church in Coolagh, Callan on September 21, 1948. It was there that her commitment and dedication to the church began. From an early age she helped her parents and sister with the cleaning and preparation of the church for Sunday mass. This interest was maintained throughout her life. She married Paddy Butler in 1975 and moved to Freshford, where she continued to help with church duties later assisting with flowers arrangements for a number of Communions and Confirmations.
Over the last few years Angela and her sister, Lil anonymously donated the flowers for Christmas and Easter. She even put in train plans for the flowers this Christmas, although battling a serious illness. During her early years in Freshford, Angela applied her gifts to knitting Aran jumpers, crotchet and embroidery for dancing costumes.
All her life she was devoted to the Rosary, which didn't always stop at the five decades, and to the Sacred Heart and Blessed Virgin. She added her own 'trimmings' to the Rosary, which were often longer than the regular prayers. The Rosary was recited daily. On big match days in Croke Park, the Rosary and 'trimmings' were started early on the journey in order to be completed by the time Newlands Cross was reached. Every year she went on an annual pilgrimage to Knock, and she also visited the shrines in Lourdes and Fatima.
Angela had a great interest in the local Prague House and was a driving force behind the annual charity dog night fund raiser.
Her passion and love of the GAA was very strong, and up to a short time before her death she continued to serve tea and refreshments to match officials, volunteers and others during games at the St Lachtain's GAA grounds. She liked nothing better than the day out following Kilkenny teams, at any level, and in all parts, Dublin, Cork, Thurles and so on.
Nothing lifted her heart like watching Tommy Walsh plucking the sliotar from the sky during the heat of battle. No one would say a word against 'her Tommy' or his colleagues, and if she felt a referee was harsh on her favourites she wasn't afraid to voice her disapproval, although such actions were largely against her nature.
During her final days Angela was visited by such GAA stalwarts as Ned Quinn, Michael Kavanagh, Michael Walsh, Joe Hennessy and Brian Kennedy, which lifted her spirits enormously. Her face lit up when Brian showed her his 2013 Under 21 All Star award, and she offered to mind it as she was afraid he might lose it.
For over 20 years she minded children, many of whom regarded her as a second mother. The remains were received at St Lachtain's church by Fr Pat Comerford PP, assisted by Fr Larry Wallace PP, Muckalee and Fr Eamon O'Gorman PP, Conahy. Burial was in St Lachtain's cemetery. Guards of Honour were formed by members of St Lachtain's GAA and camogie clubs.
During the Requiem mass gifts representing Angela's life were brought to the altar by Clare Dermody, Donna, Marina and Nikki Butler, Breda Wall and Sr Peggy. Prayers of the Faithful were said by Lily Moore, Brian Butler, Josephine O'Mara and Ann Wall.
She is survived by her husband Paddy; Brian Butler (son); Sinead Butler (daughter); Elizabeth Burke (sister), Nikki Butler (daughter in-law) and a host of other relatives and friends.

Kilkenny People, January 10th 2014 Tweet

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