Sylvia was born in New Auburn, Maine on July 20, 1937. She graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, attended nursing school in Lewiston, and met her husband, Walter John Butler, while he was stationed with the U.S. Navy in Brunswick, Maine. They served in California, Maine, Maryland, and Virginia prior to his retirement in 1979, and then resided in Dale City, Virginia. She worked for many years in the offices of numerous automotive dealerships and in 2005 retired to Salisbury. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and volunteered with The Joseph House for several years.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Walter; her parents, Antoine and Gracia Belanger, and her sister, Dorothea Smith, and a special friend and companion, Charles Wall.
She is survived by her sister, Jacqueline Lothrop and brother-in-law, George Smith; son, John (Debra), son, Mark (Julia), and daughter, Monique (Kirk); grandchildren, David (Alisha), Matthew, Corey (Katie), Megan, Kyle (Jessica) and Austin; and great grandchildren, Dean, Archer and Michael; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Bounds Funeral Home in Salisbury with burial later at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations in her honor be made to The Joseph House, PO Box 1755, Salisbury, MD 21802 or Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.