Mary Butts

Mary Elizabeth Baker Butts, 89 of Chambersburg, died on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in the Transitions Healthcare Shook Home.
Born August 23, 1934 in Benevola, MD, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur W. Baker and Mary Roxanna Stine Baker.
She was a graduate of Boonsboro High School and the Washington Co. Hospital School of Nursing. She earned both a Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Shippensburg University. Additional courses were taken at Hagerstown Junior College, University of MD and Penn State.
She was employed as an instructor for the Wash Co. Hospital School of Nursing and the practical nurse program in Chambersburg before becoming its administrator and financial aid officer. After retiring she continued to teach in the continuing education program for Penn State. She also volunteered with the NARFE/ apprise program sponsored by the Office of Aging and NARFE (National Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees), and the Chambersburg Hospital Auxiliary and the advisory committee for the Office of Aging.
She served as advisor to the Practical Nurse Assoc. of PA and the Franklin Co Career Center Practical Nurse Program Alumnae Association. She was a member of the National League for Nursing and the PA League for Nursing, the American Nurse's Assoc., the PA Nurses Assoc. and the Adams, Franklin, Fulton District Nurses Assoc. where she served in various capacities. A life member of the PA Vocational Assoc. she served as the Vice President for Health Occupations for many years. She served for a number of years as a board member of the Franklin Co Community Form, a member of the Health Care Administrator's Council, and as President of the Practical Nurse Administrator's Council. She served as treasurer and secretary of the Women's Democratic Club of Franklin Co. and secretary of the Franklin Co Democratic Comm. She was an associate member of the National Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees, a member of the Kittoctinny Historical Society, AARP chapter 3261, the Chambersburg Hospital Auxiliary and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She served as Legislative Co Chairman for the Franklin Co Branch of PA State Ed Assoc. of School Retirees. She was also 2nd Vice President and Program Chair and Legislative Chair of Franklin Co branch of PASR.
She married William D. Butts of Shippensburg, PA April 13, 1960. Surviving are 3 sisters, Shirley Happ and Betty Lou Kunz of Frederick, MD and Mary Sue Hamilton of Hagerstown, MD, 2 brothers, Gary E. Baker of Sharpsburg, MD, and Larry D. Baker of Keedysville, MD and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Stouffer Barrett, and Loretta Stotelmyer; three brothers: Willis C. Baker, David L. Baker, Franklin J. Baker.
A memorial service for Bill and Mary will be held in the Chapel of the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home 333 Falling Spring Road, on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 2 PM, with Rev. Dr. A. Robert Cook officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery, Chambersburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 225 South Second Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
Mary’s family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all the nurses and staff at the Shook Home and the Chambersburg Hospital for their exceptional care for Mary over the years.