Gladys Butler

Gladys Butler made the most of every situation that came her way. She was born April 1, 1928 to Mabel Layton Gardiner and J. Willard Gardiner of Mullica Hill. She grew up on a dairy farm and continued the farming life when she married Walter H. Butler in 1949. Together they had four children whom she loved unconditionally, and she also liked them too. She had ten grandchildren, and each one was sure that he or she was the special one. Her step children and step grandchildren and great grandchildren knew she loved every single one of them.
Her farm days were full: from pulling sweet potato sprouts in the spring to delivering some of those sweet potatoes in the fall. Her energies also went into baking birthday cakes and wedding cakes and sewing Christmas and Easter dresses for her daughters. She and Walter danced together beautifully and polka’d with the best. She was a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for more than 40 years. A longtime member of Raccoon Valley Swim Club, she enjoyed early summer days at the pool, and supporting the swimming and diving teams. Gladys was an avid reader and made regular visits to the Swedesboro Public Library. The beach, especially Ocean City, NJ, was her happy place, and she could spend hours on the beach with family and friends or a good book. Her almost daily walks “around the block” bordering the farm covered an impressive distance. Gladys loved hosting family gatherings on the lawn at home with a menu that always included Rode’s barbecued chicken and corn and tomatoes grown on the farm. As a multi-year volunteer with the Second Auxiliary of Underwood Memorial Hospital, her positive spirit and energy were put to good use.
Gladys lived in South Jersey all her life and she loved seeing the rest of the world. After her children left home, she and Walter began their travel adventures through Europe and warm sunny places in the winter. She said that traveling was wonderful and so was coming home.
Walter died in 1994, and Gladys married Ty Ayars, fellow Woodstown High School graduate and lifelong friend, in 2004. They enjoyed ten years of living on the farm, more travel adventures, and volunteering for the Phillies including their 2008 World Series season.
After her stroke in 2014, Gladys moved to Friends Village in Woodstown where she worked very hard with occupational and physical therapy. She enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of her fellow residents and participated in every music related program offered.
Gladys is survived by her children Corrin (Bob) Sellen, Walter/Chip – (Annette) Butler and Kathleen (Dave) Clark, son-in-law Bill Dornan, her brother Willard Gardiner, her step children Donald (Cindy) Ayars and Carolyn (Chris) Shay, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Walter Butler, her second husband, Ty Ayars, and her daughter, Candace Dornan.
Gladys Butler lived 96 very full and good years. Please come and remember her and those years at Saturday, October 26, 10 -11 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, 1518 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ where there will be an 11a.m. service. Contributions to the Swedesboro Public Library in her memory would be appreciated. Checks may be sent to Friends of GCLS Swedesboro Branch, 389 Wolfert Station Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062, Attention Judith Pissano.