Sister M. Martha Butler, MM

Born: November 20, 1866
Entered: September 7, 1921
Died: January 19, 1957

Sister M. Martha Butler died on January 19, 1957. She was 90 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 35 years.

Margaret (M. Martha) was born on November 20, 1886 in Nashua, New Hampshire to Margaret (Fitzsimmons) and Michael Hallisey. She had four brothers and was the only daughter. Margaret attended grammar school in Nashua. A branch of work that she specialized in was cooking and before entering Maryknoll her occupation was that of a cook. Her interest in the foreign missions began through her pastor, as well as reading issues of The Field Afar. Margaret entered Maryknoll on September 7, 1921 and took the name Sister M. Martha.

The mission life of Sister M. Martha kept her within the United States. Her first assignment took her to the Venard. Not long after this assignment she was brought to work in the Seminary Kitchen in Maryknoll where she ended up working from 1922-1927. These posts were later followed by positions at Bethany, 1927; Motherhouse, 1932; St. Louis, 1942; Motherhouse, 1945; Venard, 1945; and Bethany, 1946. In all Sister M. Martha did she showed her generous spirit. Sister’s health began to decline in the years leading up to her death on January 19, 1957. I know you will remember her soul generously. May she and all our dear ones gone before, rest in peace!