Gail Kathryn Butler

Gail Kathryn Butler, a beloved wife, mother, and community volunteer, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on August 8, 1949, in Middletown, Connecticut, and lived a life full of purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to those around her.

Gail was a graduate of Cromwell High School, where she showcased her talents as a cheerleader and majorette, and earned her place in the Connecticut High School Honor Choir. Her journey continued as she pursued further education at Manchester Community College, where she obtained her degree in business, supplemented by additional semester hours at the University of Connecticut.

Her career began at Southern New England Telephone Company (SNET) as a switchboard operator, where she broke barriers as the first woman to attend SNET's Business & Marketing School. Her contributions were vital, being involved in groundbreaking projects such as the installation of the state’s first all-call system and the implementation of State Banking ATM systems in the early 1970s. After rising through the ranks, she held a senior leadership role in Marketing Training and was honored with the prestigious President’s Club Award in 1980. Gail furthered her career with a decade-long tenure at Aetna Insurance, where she excelled as a Senior Leader for the nursing case manager business center, traveling across the United States.

In 2000, after supporting her husband, Clarence "Buzz" Butler, in his career change to Maine, Gail embraced new opportunities that her retirement brought. She turned her deep musical interests into action, singing in church and community choirs, and dedicating her time to volunteer work at community hospitals, including Johnston Memorial Hospital alongside her beloved Abby at the cancer center.

Gail and Buzz made Southwest Virginia their home in 2011, quickly establishing roots in the community they loved. Gail’s spirit of giving was evident in her volunteering efforts, as she cherished being involved with those around her.

Beyond her impressive career and community service, Gail had a zest for life that was exemplified through her hobbies and interests. An avid sailor, she embarked on numerous Schooner sailing trips and enjoyed the beauty of 15 Caribbean Islands, including the enchanting Tahiti. In addition to her love for the sea, she reveled in downhill skiing, embraced the companionship of animals, and became a dedicated therapy dog trainer. Her beloved Golden Retrievers, Abby and Teddy, were not just pets; they were the true loves of her life.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Regina Gaffney Bailey and her sister, Irene Lawerance-Bailey.

Gail is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Clarence "Buzz" Butler, and her son Michael Argenta and his wife Kim from Savannah, GA. Her legacy of dedication, love, and kindness will be honored and celebrated by all whose lives she touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her memory on June 7, 2025, at Pleasant View Church in Abingdon, VA at 6:00 p.m. Family and friends will gather from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to pay tribute to an extraordinary woman who illuminated the lives of so many. The burial will be on the 8th of August in a family plot at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rocky Hill, Connecticut tentatively at 11:00 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Virginia (MSAV). Donations can be made by clicking here .

The family of Gail Kathryn Butler is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.