Catholic san Francisco (PHOTO BY JOSE LUIS AGUIRRE/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)
Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
Mary and Miles Butcher often sit together holding hands. “They taught us values – of loving one another and others,” said daughter Rita Gunther.
Meant for each other 65 Valentine’s Days later, pair remain ‘sweetest, most loving couple’ When it came to marriage, Mary Butcher, nee O’Connell, decided she’d better not take any chances: As a young woman – a native San Franciscan whose parents had emigrated from Ireland – she enlisted the help of the best husband she knew. “I always prayed to St. Joseph for a good husband,” she said. “And I got one.” Judging from the mountain of evidence that has accumulated since Mary O’Connell married Miles Butcher at St. John the Evangelist church 65 years ago, it would be foolish to argue with that statement. Sitting beside her in the front parlor of their house on Prague Street on this winter afternoon, the 89-year-old Miles Butcher has done much more than simply pass muster as a husband. But it is what the couple has accomplished together – say those who know them best – that is most inspiring: During their long marriage, they have managed to create, largely by example, a legacy of love and faith for their 10 children, 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. “They are the sweetest, most loving couple I know,” said daughter Rita Gunther. “They taught us values – of loving one another and others. We experienced a lot of love from them. Most of us have raised our children that way.” Like her nine siblings, Gunther was educated at Church of the Epiphany and St. John schools. At one time, there were Butcher children attending seven of the eight grades at Epiphany. Her parents, said Gunther, paid tuition for 32 years. “They sacrificed so much for us,” said Gunther’s sister, Joan Buckland. “They made sure we had everything we needed – not everything we wanted. We can remember our mother needing a winter coat, but wearing the same one.” What still amazes Gunther is how the family managed to fit in the relatively small kitchen. “When they first moved into the house together, they said, ‘What are we going to do with this enormous kitchen?’”
(PHOTO BY JOSE LUIS AGUIRRE/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)
By Dana Perrigan
Left, Mary O’Connell and Miles Butcher as they looked on their wedding day 65 years ago. Right, the couple are pictured at their home in San Francisco in February. That was in 1946. Several years earlier, Miles – a serviceman on leave from the Navy during World War II – had been invited to a party in San Francisco by a Navy buddy. Mary’s best friend had, it turned out, invited her to the same party. “I remember the first time I saw him,” said Mary. “He was so tall, and I thought what a big man he was.” Before his leave ran out, Miles – an only child who grew up in Daly City – managed a first date with Mary, an outing to Larkspur. That was followed by several Saturday night dances. They were a couple by the time Miles returned to
his wartime duties in Italy and North Africa, and he wrote to her almost every day. “He was a great letter writer,” said Mary. “He was so exacting.” Mary kept the letters. “Occasionally, he will slip one under her breakfast plate,” said Buckland. “They sit holding hands together – they’re quite the love birds. It never ceases to amaze me.” Shortly after the war ended, Miles was discharged from the Navy. He took a job as a stereotyper for the LOVING COUPLE, page 19
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION On the Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 News in brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Question Corner . . . . . . . . . 16 Toward a just economy. . . . 17 Best family films . . . . . . . . . 18
HHS compromise ‘unacceptable’ ~ Page 5 ~ February 17, 2012
Catholic Healthcare West restructuring explained ~ Page 14 ~
Study of anti-Semitism valuable to all faiths ~ Page 19 ~
ONE DOLLAR
Datebook of events . . . . . . . 21 Classified ads . . . . . . . . . . . 23
www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 14
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No. 6