OBITUARY: Anne “Ethel” Butters, 108, Wilmington’s Oldest Resident

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Anne E. “Ethel” Butters, fondly known as “Auntie” to her family and friends, a lifelong Wilmington resident and true town legend, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026, at the remarkable age of 108.

Ethel was born at home in Wilmington, Massachusetts, on September 29, 1917. She was the beloved daughter of the late Brewster and Angelina (Surrette) Butters and one of seven siblings. Raised and educated in Wilmington, Ethel was an outstanding athlete in her youth. During her high school years, she excelled in basketball, field hockey, and girls baseball, serving as captain of all three teams in her senior year. A proud member of the Wilmington High School Class of 1935, Ethel remained a true “Wildcat” throughout her life and was later inducted into the Wilmington Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to Wildcat athletics.

Following high school, Ethel pursued her passion for helping others by enrolling in nursing programs at Tewksbury State Hospital and Boston City Hospital, where she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse. She went on to enjoy a long and fulfilling career in nursing, working at several area hospitals before becoming the Public Health Nurse for the Town of Wilmington. In this role, Ethel served her community with compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication, caring for patients of all ages. She retired after more than 35 years of devoted service.

In addition to her nursing career, Ethel was an entrepreneur and proudly owned and operated her gift shop, Apple Annie’s, on Middlesex Avenue in Wilmington. She delighted in offering unique gifts and crafts to her customers and formed many lasting friendships through her shop.

Though Ethel did not have children of her own, she was a cherished “mother figure” to many of her nieces and nephews. She never missed a family gathering or special celebration and took great joy in staying connected with loved ones. Her home was always open and welcoming, filled with warmth, love, and laughter. Ethel had a passion for gardening and created beautiful flower gardens around her home, and she especially enjoyed decorating for every holiday.

Ethel was a loyal and caring friend, always ready to lend a helping hand. She embraced life with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure, enjoying many trips with family and friends, especially her vacations and weekends at her condo on Weir’s Beach in Laconia, NH, where they looked forward to the excitement and sites at “Bike week” or her visits to Florida where she could relax and escape the New England winters.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Ethel was a devoted communicant of St. Thomas Church in Wilmington for many years.

Ethel will be remembered for her extraordinary devotion to her family, her friends, and her community. She was a pillar of strength, resilience, and kindness. Having lived through more than a century of change, Ethel embraced life with grace, always open to new experiences, places, and people. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and inspiration that will endure for generations.

Ethel’s remarkable life and enduring spirit will forever be remembered and cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Ethel was predeceased by her beloved siblings Gertrude Condrey and her husband Steve, Helen McKenna and her husband Francis, Ruth Kenney and her husband John, Alfred Butters, Edwin Butters and his wife Susie, and Robert Butters and his wife Ethel.

She was the cherished aunt of Carolyn Kenney, Kathy Kenney, Lorraine Hermann, Janet Beyer, Judy Palm, the late Michael McKenna, the late Maureen McHugh, the late Richard McKenna, the late Susan Gauthier, Terry McKenna, Bob McKenna, Robert Butters, Nancy Burgess, Bruce Butters, George Butters, Kathy Butters, Angela Peruzzi, Fred Butters, Patricia Carney, Nancy Butters, Phyllis Butters, along with many great-nieces, great-nephews, and their families.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Friday, April 17th from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the family lot at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ethel’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.